In front of a vocal KCC crowd, NCMC men's basketball won an intense matchup over 6th ranked Ellsworth Community College on Tuesday night. The Pirates emerged victorious with a final score of 85-80 despite trailing the majority of the game, including a 6-point halftime deficit. With the win, NCMC is now 5-2 with their next action coming at Des Moines Area CC on Friday. DMACC is another ranked NJCAA opponent on the Pirate's difficult schedule, coming in at #3 in the latest NJCAA DII poll.
From the starting lineup:
Joe Clark played a crucial role, contributing 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. His distribution and playmaking ability were essential in orchestrating the team's offense.
Giovanni Mack was a standout performer, scoring in double figures with 19 points. Mack showcased his dribble penetration and shooting ability, hitting shots from the field and adding 4 rebounds and 1 assist. He also totaled 4 steals with tenacious defense.
Isaiah Reams had an outstanding game, contributing 22 points to lead the Pirates, including 8 made free throws. Reams' offensive prowess and efficiency from the free-throw line were pivotal in securing the win.
Tyler King was a force on the court, adding 17 points and 7 rebounds. King's presence driving to the paint and contributions on both ends of the floor were important for NCMC.
Off the bench:
Mikey Thomas made valuable contributions with 8 points, providing a scoring spark with a pair of huge 3 pointers down the stretch.
Jon Carroll added 8 points and 5 rebounds, showcasing his impact off the bench with his energy. He, like Mack, totaled 4 steals which highlighted the great team defense the Pirates exhibited.
NCMC shot 45.1% from the field and 71.4% from the charity stripe. Despite a competitive matchup against highly ranked Ellsworth CC, the Pirate's balanced scoring and efficient execution down the stretch secured them a hard-fought victory, proving their determination and ability to perform under pressure.
