Top ranked North Central Missouri College put on a strong performance to secure a 67-56 victory over 14th ranked Johnson County Community College, driven by a balanced attack from their starters and key contributions off the bench. The Pirates kept their record perfect with the win and will put their 15-0 mark on the line Saturday when they host Southeast CC in the White Out game.
Joe Clark provided steady play in his 26 minutes on the court, contributing five points on an efficient 2-of-3 shooting and hauling in seven rebounds, including two on the offensive glass. Despite struggling at the free-throw line, hitting only one of six attempts, Clark's presence in the paint was crucial. Giovanni Mack was an engine for the team, tallying nine points and showcasing his playmaking ability with five assists. He also matched Clark's seven rebounds, emphasizing his all-around impact.
Jon Carroll dominated the boards, collecting a game-high 12 rebounds, which included a key defensive effort. Carroll added 12 points, converting 4-of-9 field goal attempts and 4-of-5 free throws, while also dishing out five assists to orchestrate the offense. Camden Bennett led all scorers for North Central with 17 points, shooting an efficient 6-of-11 from the field and sinking three of his five three-point attempts. His two steals highlighted a strong defensive contribution as well. Tyler King was equally effective, adding 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting while grabbing five rebounds and contributing a block.
Off the bench, Deng Gak provided a spark in his 13 minutes, scoring seven points, including a three-pointer, and pulling down four rebounds. Mikey Thomas and Za'Corrie Kerr also saw time on the floor, though their contributions were more limited offensively. The team benefited from a disciplined performance overall, with only 14 turnovers compared to Johnson County's eight.
Defensively, North Central locked in, holding Johnson County to just 34.4% shooting from the field and a mere 25% from beyond the arc. Brandon Mann led Johnson County with 16 points, while Steven Samuels added 12. However, North Central's defense kept most of their opponents' offense in check, particularly on the glass, where they out-rebounded Johnson County 41-29.
With a well-rounded effort on both ends of the floor, North Central Missouri College secured a hard-fought road victory, demonstrating teamwork, efficiency, and resilience throughout the game.