North Central Missouri College men's basketball delivered a commanding performance Saturday on the road, defeating Lincoln Land Community College 79-44 in a game marked by balanced scoring and dominant rebounding. From the opening minutes of the Pirate's 8th straight win to start the season, NCMC controlled the pace. Jon Carroll was a force in the paint, finishing with a double-double of 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting and a game-high 15 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. His relentless effort under the basket provided NCMC with numerous second-chance opportunities and set the tone early.
The backcourt of Giovanni Mack and Tyler King provided a strong complementary scoring punch. Mack showcased his versatility, contributing 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including two three-pointers, while pulling down eight rebounds and dishing out two assists. King added 11 points, hitting a key three-pointer and remaining perfect from the free-throw line, while also making his presence felt on the defensive end with a steal and a block.
NCMC's bench played a critical role in maintaining the energy and pressure on Lincoln Land. Za'Corrie Kerr was a standout in his 12 minutes on the floor, scoring 13 points and knocking down six of nine free throws. Garrett Fettinger and Talan Holt also made efficient contributions off the bench, with six and five points, respectively. The reserves ensured the team never lost momentum and continued to wear down the opposition.
Rebounding was a decisive factor, with NCMC dominating the boards 53-28. Camden Bennett was instrumental in this effort, grabbing nine rebounds to go along with his seven points. The team's 13 offensive rebounds created valuable second-chance scoring opportunities that helped build and maintain their lead throughout the game.
On defense, NCMC was relentless, holding LLCC to just 26.7% shooting from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc. Mikey Thomas and Bennett played key roles in disrupting LLCC's offense, contributing to the team's 12 forced turnovers. Meanwhile, NCMC kept their own mistakes in check, committing only 14 turnovers in a fast-paced game.
Lincoln Land struggled offensively with the Pirate's pressure defense, with no player scoring more than 10 points. Camden Nelson led the team with 10 points but managed only 3-of-9 shooting. Michael Tyler pulled down seven rebounds but was unable to capitalize on his scoring opportunities, finishing with just four points. LLCC's inability to generate consistent offense and their struggles on the boards proved too much to overcome.
NCMC's combination of balanced scoring, dominance on the glass, and suffocating defense was the key to their victory. With significant contributions from both starters and reserves, the team demonstrated depth and efficiency, delivering a performance that bodes well for the rest of their season. The 4th ranked Pirates next action will be a home matchup with 20th ranked Kansas City Kansas CC. The Pirates defeated KCKCC earlier this season by 20 points but Ketcham fans can look for a tight contest on Monday night.