Zaily Mazarin drains a jumper in the paint during the second half against Northeastern Junior College on Wednesday night. (Skylar Evans, North Platte Community College)
North Platte, Neb. – North Platte’s Zaily Mazarin recorded a double-double, but the Knights fell to Northeastern Junior College 65-61 on Wednesday night at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.
In just her fifth game this season, Mazarin recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes. Freshman Aliyah Herron added 10 points while dishing out six assists in 35 minutes of game action.
“We didn’t make the necessary plays on both ends of the floor to give ourselves the win tonight,” head coach Jeff Thurman said.
North Platte opened the game with a 9-3 run, which was capped off by a jumper in the paint by Reece Yahn. Northeastern responded with a late first quarter surge, briefly taking the lead with 2:24 remaining, but Mazarin knocked down a deep shot to give the Knights a 19-16 edge at the end of the quarter.
The second quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to create much separation. North Platte’s largest lead was five, but the Plainswomen closed the half with a basket to even the score at 33-33 heading into halftime.
Northeastern opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run to take control, but the Knights answered cutting the deficit to two by the end of the period.
The Plainswomen extended their lead with an 8-0 run early in the fourth quarter. North Platte fought back, tying the game with 1:55 remaining on a strong finish by Mazarin, but Northeastern regained the lead in the closing moments to secure the victory.
“We’ve got to be ready this week because we’re heading to Scottsbluff to face a very good Western Nebraska team,” Thurman said.
North Platte (5-15, 2-4 Region 9 South) continues Region 9 South play on Sunday against the Cougars. Tipoff set for 2 p.m. at the Cougar Palace in Scottsbluff, Neb.
