Sedrick Nari attempts a contested shot in the paint against Frank Phillips College on Tuesday night. (Skylar Evans, North Platte Community College)
North Platte, Neb.– The North Platte Community College men’s basketball team could only connect on 5-of-30 from long range in a 70-62 loss to Frank Phillips College on Tuesday night.
Justus Michael paced the Knights with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, adding six rebounds and two assists. Brady Kennison added 15 points, while Josh Osayanrhion rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11.
“Thought we came out hungry and ready to play,” said head coach Jacob Brandl. “At the end of the day we just didn’t make the plays we needed to win.”
Osayanrhion set the tone early with a dunk to open the game, as the Knights followed that up with a short rally to take a 11-5 lead with 15:42 to play. Frank Phillips answered with a 16-0 surge, holding North Platte scoreless until Osayanrhion ended the drought with a basket in the lane. The Knights clawed back within one after a Kennison three-pointer, but the Plainsmen maintained momentum and carried a six-point lead into halftime.
North Platte stayed within striking distance and eventually used a 7-0 burst, capped by a Kennison transition three to take a 43-42 lead with 9:47 left. The teams traded baskets until the Plainsmen regained the lead for good with 7:44 remaining and held on down the stretch.
“I trust our group. We’re just in a slump right now, but we’ll get it figured out,” Brandl said.
Knights (4-5) return to action on Monday against Hastings College JV. Tip is set for 7 p.m. inside the Lynn Farrell Arena in Hastings.
