Written by NCMC HOF member Tom Johnson:

The #1 ranked North Central Missouri College men raced out to a double digit first-half lead, expanded the lead over the 20 point plateau in the second half, and held off a late-game rally from the Southeast (NE) Community College Bobcats, winning on Saturday afternoon in Lincoln, Nebraska 84-70.

The Pirates dynamic scoring duo of Tyler King and Jon Carroll combined for 47 points (24 from King) in the contest, as the Pirates, expected to remain #1 in Tuesday's latest NJCAA Division Two rankings, improve to an unblemished 26-0 on the season.

Mikey Thomas came off the bench to scored 12 points with Camden Bennett adding 11.