The undefeated NCMC Pirates put on an offensive clinic in their dominant 123-81 victory over Jefferson College on Saturday, showcasing an efficient and well-balanced attack. The win improves the #1-ranked Pirates to 24-0 for the year and 4-0 in Region 16 play.
The tone was set early by Jon Carroll, who delivered an exceptional performance with 31 points on near-perfect shooting, hitting 13 of 15 attempts from the field while also grabbing 11 rebounds to complete a double-double. His ability to finish around the rim and convert at the free-throw line proved crucial in maintaining NCMC's offensive momentum.
Tyler King was another standout for the Pirates, lighting up the scoreboard with 26 points, including four three-pointers. His efficiency was remarkable, shooting 9-for-14 from the field while also collecting five rebounds and three steals, making his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Camden Bennett contributed significantly as well, tallying 19 points while hitting a pair of three-pointers and going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Giovanni Mack was the glue that kept NCMC's offense flowing, recording 14 points and an impressive six assists while also chipping nine boards. His ability to facilitate plays and attack the basket kept Jefferson College's defense on their heels. Joe Clark, though not a primary scorer, played a key role with seven rebounds and four assists, providing valuable hustle and court awareness. He also had the play of the day with a put back dunk that brought the Ketcham crowd to a frenzy.
The depth of NCMC proved to be too much for Jefferson College, as contributions from the bench kept the offensive pressure high. Za'Corrie Kerr was highly effective in his limited minutes, scoring 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting. Mikey Thomas added five points along with four assists. The Pirates' bench combined for 37 points, ensuring there was no drop-off when the starters rested.
Defensively, NCMC controlled the boards with a dominant 51-25 rebounding advantage, limiting Jefferson's second-chance opportunities. The Pirates also shared the ball exceptionally well, racking up 23 assists as they methodically picked apart the Jefferson defense.
Jefferson College struggled to keep pace despite a strong effort from Andre Aaron Jr., who led his team with 20 points while knocking down three triples. Nick Davis also had a solid outing, scoring 15 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting. Cole Rickermann contributed 14 points, hitting four three-pointers, but it wasn't enough to match the firepower of NCMC.
In the end, North Central Missouri College's efficiency proved to be the difference, as they shot an impressive 58.9% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Their dominance in rebounding and ball movement overwhelmed Jefferson College, securing a commanding win in a statement performance.
