NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Mariah Gardner led the Knights with 13 points, but it was not enough to upset No. 2 Kirkwood Community College, 75-53, in the North Central A District Championship on Saturday.

Kirkwood came out strong as they pushed their advantage to 19 points twice in the opening quarter. North Platte responded by shutting down the Eagles offense in the second quarter, as a 7-0 run cut the margin to 27-18 on a jumper by Nevaeh Golden.

Kirkwood pushed their lead back into double digits, but the Knights never let up down the stretch. Back-to-back three pointers by Gardner aided in an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 32-28 at the halftime break.

North Platte knotted the game up in the opening minute of the third, but a 12-0 run helped the Eagles regain a double-digit lead. Kirkwood continued to stretch their lead in the fourth quarter, as another long run helped the Eagles close out the win.

As a team, the Knights shot 30.3 percent (20-66) from the field, while connecting on 7-of-22 (.318) from long range. Kirkwood won the rebounding battle, 48-26, but North Platte forced 16 Kirkwood turnovers.

North Platte concludes the season with an 18-12 record, while claiming their third Region IX title in the past four seasons.

Knights lose in postseason opener to Otero

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - Davion Evans led three North Platte players in double figures with 24 points, but Otero Junior College rallied in the overtime period to earn the 91-87 win to open the Region IX postseason tournament on Saturday.

North Platte erased a double-digit halftime deficit to retake the lead on an Emmanuel Oladeru layup midway through the second half. The margin stayed within two possessions down the stretch, before the Rattlers rallied late to force the overtime period.

Otero never trailed in overtime as they built a five-point advantage in the opening 1:12 of the period. North Platte once again chipped away at the deficit to knot the game up on an Evans runner inside the final two minutes. Rattlers responded with a 6-2 spurt in the final minute to seal the opening round win.

Knights finished the game shooting 41.4 percent (29-70) from the field, while connecting on 8-of-25 from long range. Otero won the rebounding battle, 50-37, while their bench chipped in 32 points in the win.

A long run helped Otero shake off a slow start as they jumped out to an 18-8 lead with 13:04 to play in the opening half. Jesper Hallberg got his follow attempt to fall, but the Rattlers quickly pushed their lead back into double digits. Otero stretched their lead to 41-23, until a 12-4 rally cut the deficit to ten at the halftime break.

North Platte completes the 2023-24 season with a 13-16 record.