North Central Missouri College put on a dominant performance in their road matchup against 17th ranked Iowa Western Community College, cruising to an 89-70 victory. The 4th ranked Pirates showcased balanced scoring and strong rebounding to secure the win.
From the opening tip, North Central's starters established their presence. Last year's 1st Team All-American Tyler King led the charge with an efficient 25 points, shooting 9-for-18 from the field, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc. King also added 4 rebounds and 2 steals to his stat line, making crucial plays on both ends of the floor. His energy set the tone for the Pirates, particularly during a decisive second-half run.
Jon Carroll was equally impactful, recording a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Carroll was relentless on the glass, grabbing 6 offensive boards that created additional scoring opportunities for his team. His 9-for-15 shooting display highlighted his ability to score inside and from mid-range.
Freshman standout Camden Bennett chipped in 18 points on 7-for-15 shooting, providing another consistent offensive option. He knocked down a three-pointer and was perfect from the free-throw line, going 3-for-3. His defensive activity also resulted in 2 steals, helping disrupt Iowa Western's offensive flow.
Giovanni Mack served as the team's playmaker, dishing out an impressive 10 assists while adding 15 points and 5 rebounds. Mack's ability to control the tempo and create scoring opportunities for his teammates was instrumental in the Pirates' offensive efficiency, as they shot 50% from the field.
Joe Clark anchored the defense with a commanding presence on the boards, pulling down 10 rebounds, including 9 on the defensive end. His efforts limited Iowa Western's second-chance opportunities and gave the Pirates a crucial edge in rebounding, where they outpaced their opponents 40-30.
Off the bench, Deng Gak provided a spark with 4 points and 4 rebounds in just 12 minutes, while Mikey Thomas added 2 points and 2 assists in his limited role.
Iowa Western struggled to find offensive consistency, shooting just 42.6% from the field and a dismal 22.2% from three-point range. While Amaahd Roberts (14 points) and DaCarter Coleman (15 points) had standout moments, the team's inability to match North Central's rebounding and defensive intensity ultimately sealed their fate.
The Pirates' teamwork and efficiency were on full display as they committed only 13 turnovers while forcing 14. Their 82.6% accuracy from the free-throw line also highlighted their poise under pressure.
The win improved NCMC's season record to 7-0 with their next game coming Saturday on the road against Lincoln Land CC with a 3pm tip.