Trinidad, CO – The No. 7 North Platte Community College men’s basketball team’s (17-1, 7-1 South Sub-Region) survived the hot shooting Trinidad State Junior College Trojans (8-12, 1-6 South Sub-Region) who hit 18 3-points Friday night in overtime 99-92.

The Knights continued their streak of starting off games fast as they jumped out to a 21-7 lead in the first nine minutes of the game. The Trojans would not go quietly on their home floor as they battled back to take 38-37 lead into the locker room. Trinidad State shot the ball well from the 3-point line in the half as they made 3 of 7 for 43 percent, but it was nothing like the shooting performance the Trojans would put on in the second half.

The Trojans were able to hold on to their lead for much of the half as they shot 14 of 20 from the 3-point line, good for a 70 percent average. The Knights took the Trojans best punch and were able to hang in the game. During the last few minutes of regulation the teams would battle back and forth as neither team could take more than two point advantage.

With 28 seconds left, the Knights had the ball down 83-81. Ethan Montalvo was knocked to the ground with 10 seconds left and went to the foul line with a chance to tie the game. He knocked down both free throws to tie the game. Joe Smith had a final opportunity to win the game in regulation but Tim Simmons forced him into a double-pump fade away shot to send the game into regulation.

In overtime the Knights got on the board first on a lay-up from Marco Pascolo and were able to outscore the Trojans 16-9 in overtime behind Ethan Montalvo who was perfect from the free throw line.

Montalvo again led the way for the Knights as he finished with 22 points as he was perfect from the field and the free throw line as he was 3 of 3 and 15 of 15 respectively. Tim Simmons shouldered a larger scoring burden as he scored 21 points. Marco Pascolo had 20 points on 4 of 5 shooting from the 3-point line. Aireon Porter and Jake Maslo both had double-doubles as Porter finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds and Maslo had 12 points and 11 rebounds.

“It was a tough battle,” said sophomore Tim Simmons. “We made some plays down the stretch to come out with the win.”

Joe Smith led the Trojans with 25 points on 6 of 7 shooting from behind the 3-point line. Trinidad State had four other players in double-figures led by Preston Bungei with 15 while Keouvion McCalop, Kevin DeCristino and Abdullah Musleh all had 11 points.

“It was a tough win,” said head coach Kevin O’Connor. “We let them gain some confidence after a good start. We have to get some rest tonight and bounce back tomorrow.

The Knights are back on the court tomorrow at 4 p.m. CST as they make the trip to La Junta, Colo. to face the Otero Junior College Rattlers (15-5, 4-3 South Sub-Region). In the first rematch of the 2013 Region IX Championship game, the Knights were able to defend their home court as they beat the Rattlers 93-67.

The Knights return home for the first time in 2014 on Wednesday Jan. 29 to face the McCook Community College Indians (14-5, 5-2 South Sub-Region) at 7:30 p.m. in a Region IX and Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference contest.

The Knights then host the Hastings College JV the next day on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. On Saturday Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. the Knights host Central Community College to finish up their three game home stand before heading back onto the road for their last three road games of the year.