North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights basketball team (3-4) started off hot and road the momentum to a hard fought 92-76 victory over the Northwest Kansas Technical College Lady Mavericks (1-7) Friday night.

The Lady Knights got off to a fast start Friday night as they took an early lead 11-5 on the Lady Mavericks that forced a timeout. The Lady Knights would extend their lead to 21-9 and then to their largest lead of the game at 41-21 behind 12 first half points from DaVontaye Merritt and 11 from April Stull. The half ended with a 51-36 margin for the Lady Knights after each team shot several free throws at the end of the half.

The second half was a little more back and forth as Northwest Kansas would go on a run only to be answered every time by the Lady Knights. The second half was neck and neck as the Knights would win the second half 41-40.

North Platte was led by post players April Stull who finished with 28 points and 9 rebounds and DaVontaye Merritt‘s double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds. Rayven Thomas led the Lady Mavericks with 21 points.

“It was a hard fought game,” said head coach Richard Thurin. “We had some players come through at the end when it counted.”

The Lady Knights are off until after Thanksgiving break when they welcome the Colby Community College Lady Trojans (1-7) to McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. The Lady Knights travelled to Colby earlier this year and emerged victorious 55-43. The Lady Knights then travel to York to face the York College JV on Dec.6 and host Lamar Community College Dec.6 and Northeastern Junior College Dec. 11 to finish out the fall semester.