BOBCATS, KNIGHTS MEET IN JUNIOR COLLEGE SHOWDOWN

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (Interstat) — The Southeast Community College Bobcats visit the North Platte Community College Knights in a men’s junior college basketball matchup Wednesday night.

The Knights (8-6) enter on a three-game winning streak, including a 94-69 rout of Otero on Saturday. They are led by guard Brady Kennison, who is coming off a 30-point performance in that victory. Over his last three games, Kennison is averaging 22.3 points and 5.0 assists.

The Bobcats (5-4) look to bounce back from an 87-93 road loss at Northeastern (Colo.) on Sunday. Southeast guard Chang Deng has been a key contributor, scoring 18 points with five assists in that defeat. In his last three outings, Deng is averaging 11.0 points and 2.7 assists.

North Platte holds the edge in the season series in recent years, but both teams are navigating competitive regional schedules. The Knights’ offense has averaged 86 points during their current win streak. The Bobcats have shown scoring ability themselves, posting 102 points in a win over Eastern Wyoming on Jan. 7.

The game tips off at 7 p.m. Central at the North Platte Community College gymnasium.

It is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams this season. They will play again at Southeast on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

For Southeast, the contest begins a tough stretch of four road games in their next five. North Platte continues a four-game homestand before hitting the road for three of their next four.

Other recent standouts include Southeast’s Marquis Toliver, who had 15 points and three assists Sunday, and North Platte’s Josh Osayanrhion, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds Saturday.