The 11^th seeded North Central Missouri College Pirates fell 79-72 to 6^th seeded Iowa Lakes Community College on Wednesday in the opening round of the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Danville, Illinois.

The Pirates trailed by a point at halftime, 37-36, and the majority of the second half.  NCMC got back within a basket on a made free throw by Jeremy Shaw to cut the deficit to 74-72 but Iowa Lakes responded with a 3-pointer with 39 seconds to play which doomed the Pirates.  NCMC was also out rebounded in the game 44-34, with 18 of the Iowa Lakes rebounds coming on the offensive glass. 

Sophomore Atavian Butler led NCMC with a game-high 18 points. Mack Anderson was the second leading scorer for NCMC with 14 points off the bench.  Also in double figures was Jeramy Shaw with 10 points.  The Pirates shot a dismal 2-14 from beyond the arc.

NCMC will face 3^rd seeded South Suburban College in the consolation bracket at 3 p.m. Thursday.  The Chicago area team was upset in the opening round when they took a 67-58 loss to 14^th seed Henry Ford College.