JOPLIN, Mo. – The No. 4 seed Johnson County women's basketball team withstood a stiff test from No. 20 seed North Platte on Tuesday morning, beating the Knights 53-42 to advance to the NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament quarterfinals. Up next for the Cavaliers is No. 5 seed Union on Wednesday, Mach 19 at 6 p.m. CST.

A strong second quarter allowed Johnson Conty to turn a slim two-point advantage after the first period into a comfortable 16-point advantage at the half.

Layla Scott, the KJCCC D-II Freshman of the Year, led Johnson County with 13 points. She was the only JCCC player to finish in double figures.

Freshman guard Heaven Smith followed with eight points off the bench, and freshmen guards Tamia Smith and Kara Stricklin and sophomore forward Aa'Mya Stacker each contributed six points. Tamia Smith was the top rebounder with seven.

Emma Jo Locks led North Platte with 11 points, and Nariah Golden followed with 10.