Sterling, Colo. – Jasmine Gilbert scored a team-high 18 points, as North Platte earned the 65-58 win over Northeastern on the road Wednesday night.
Gilbert’s points came on 5-of-10 shooting from the field, including 3-of-6 from long range. Zaily Mazarin added her second double-double of the year with 13 points and 12 rebounds in 27 minutes of action.
“We fought all night against a well-coached Northeastern team,” said head coach Jeff Thurman. “I could not be more proud of our effort and energy tonight. It’s always tough to win on the road, but we stayed together and came out with a solid team win.”
North Platte raced out to an early advantage, but Northeastern answered with seven straight points to pull ahead with 4:12 left in the first quarter. Gilbert then knocked down a pair of free throws to spark a 9-0 surge, lifting North Platte to a 16-11 lead at the end of the opening period.
The Plainswomen opened the second quarter with back-to-back three-pointers, before North Platte answered and stretched their lead into double digits. Northeastern battled back late in the quarter, trimming the margin to eight, but North Platte held the 35-27 lead at the break.
North Platte pushed its advantage to nine entering the fourth quarter, but Northeastern battled back and reclaimed the lead with 2:31 remaining. Dezirae Gonzales drained a shot from beyond the arc, and Kyenna Jackson added a jumper in the lane to shift the momentum back to the Knights, who closed the game out at the free throw line.
“Now we have to prepare for Western Nebraska on Saturday,” Thurman said. “We need to value the ball and limit second chance opportunities.”
North Platte (8–17, 5–6 Region 9 South) wraps up the home portion of their regular season schedule Saturday against Western Nebraska Community College. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.
