(Knights Wing Sedrick Nari, courtesy NPCC Athletics)
Hobbs, N.M. — The North Platte Community College men’s basketball team erased a second-half deficit to earn an 88-75 win over the University of Arkansas – Cossatot on Wednesday afternoon.
Sedrick Nari led the Knights with a season-high 23 points and three steals off the bench. Sophomore Brady Kennison added 18 points, while Dennis Rocha rounded out the North Platte players in double figures with 11 points.
“This wasn’t our cleanest overall game,” said head coach Jacob Brandl. “I thought we had some guys really step up in key situations that sparked runs and ultimately won the game for us.”
The game opened as a tightly contested matchup before the Knights seized momentum, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line during a 6-0 run. The Colts responded by pulling back within one on four occasions, but North Platte maintained its advantage. Down the stretch the Knights created some breathing room, using a 10-1 run to build a 48-32 halftime lead.
UAC stormed out of the break with a 13-2 run to grab the lead with 10:28 remaining. A Kennison layup swung the momentum back in favor of the Knights and sparked a 9-0 run. North Platte outscored the Colts 14-9 over the final stretch to secure the victory.
“From a wins-and-losses standpoint, we’re not where we want to be,” Brandl said. “As we begin region play, we need to take the lessons learned from the first semester and continue to improve.”
North Platte (8-7) opens Region 9 South play on Jan. 10 against McCook Community College. Tip is set for 4 p.m. in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.
