In a thrilling matchup of ranked opponents, #3 North Central Missouri College outpaced #25 Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) for an 86-71 victory, thanks to a balanced scoring effort and efficient shooting.  With the win, the Pirates are 9-0 ahead of games Friday and Saturday in the NCMC Classic.

The game was anchored by Tyler King, who delivered a dominant performance. King led all scorers with 27 points on an impressive 9-of-14 shooting, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. He also contributed on the boards, grabbing 8 rebounds, and found his teammates with 4 assists.

Supporting King, Camden Bennett showcased his scoring touch, adding 19 points, including 3 three-pointers and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Bennett's ability to stretch the floor was crucial in keeping KCKCC's defense off-balance.

Giovanni Mack was a dual-threat, tallying 15 points and a game-high 8 assists while swiping 4 steals, highlighting his playmaking and defensive prowess. In the paint, Deng Gak provided a strong presence, contributing 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting while securing 8 rebounds.  Gak was inserted into the starting lineup with Jon Carroll out for the game.

For KCKCC, Camron Williford led the charge with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, showing his versatility. Pierce Ross made an impact off the bench and really kept KCKCC in the game, posting a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards.  His perimeter shooting was superb.

While both teams traded momentum early, NCMC's superior shooting proved decisive. They shot an efficient 56.1% from the field, including 35.7% from three, compared to KCKCC's 36.6% overall and 28.6% from deep. NCMC's ball movement was another key factor, as they logged 15 assists, compared to KCKCC's 11, keeping their offense dynamic and hard to defend.

Defensively, NCMC also held the edge in crucial moments, forcing 13 turnovers and converting them into transition opportunities. Their balanced attack and ability to capitalize on KCKCC's miscues paved the way for the decisive win.