By: Marko Jerkovic –

The Knights ended their four game losing streak after beating the winless Northeast Rockets on Saturday, Jan. 20, a day after getting pummeled by the Omaha Bryan Bears, 61-43, on their home court. 

The Knights were 2-13 coming into the afternoon, with one of their two wins on the season against the Rockets, a 47-40 victory on December 30th.

Since the team had already played the Rockets, senior forward Jack Strong said they knew what to expect.

“We won the first game, we just had the game plan to pressure them and try to make them uncomfortable.”

The Knights have averaged only 42.5 PPG (points per game) during this season, despite that, the Knights managed 54 points, aided by a season-high of 14 points for Strong, to achieve a win over the Rockets on Saturday night.

“We started moving the ball better and trusted each other. We didn’t try to play 1-on-1 and played together,” Strong said. “Our shot was on that game because we’ve been doing more shooting throughout the week in practice.”

The Knights did leave it until late in the game to pull away from the scrappy Rockets, even trailing for portions early in the 4th quarter.

Junior guard Michael Anderson knew that the Knights should not be losing.  

“We just kept playing and when they went on their run in the 4th quarter, we just had to stay calm and play our game and not get rattled by them.”

The Knights pulled away late to secure the victory, in part thanks to Jack Strong, who hit a pair of three’s down the stretch and the Knight’s defense, who held the Rockets without a made field goal in the final 4:05 of play.

“We just remembered to play sound defense like Coach Bradley taught us and to guard the hoop and make sure to not get out of ourselves,” said junior forward Jampe’ Gergen.

The Knights captured their third victory of the season, with solid defense and clutch plays down the stretch. The Knights will be in action next on January 27 against the Omaha Central Eagles at Prasch Gymnasium.