4th ranked NCMC men's basketball outplayed Southwestern Community College in a high-paced game, winning decisively with a final score of 104-71. NCMC dominated on both ends, showcasing a balanced offensive attack and strong teamwork. Next up for the undefeated Pirates will be a road matchup with Neosho County CC on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 4:00pm.
NCMC's Jon Carroll was a force to be reckoned with, leading the team with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting. His hustle on the boards contributed to his 7 rebounds. Tyler King was also a standout, scoring 17 points as well, making four of his six field goals and knocking down a three-pointer. King showed poise at the free-throw line, where he hit 8 of 10 attempts.
Deng Gak had a well-rounded performance off the bench, adding 17 points and 9 rebounds, including 2 offensive boards. His consistency and versatility were key in maintaining NCMC's momentum. Camden Bennett and Mikey Thomas provided additional offensive firepower, scoring 10 and 11 points respectively. Bennett, though he struggled from the field, remained reliable at the line, hitting all four of his free throws.
Giovanni Mack orchestrated the offense efficiently, tallying 6 assists while adding 9 points. His defensive presence was felt as he recorded 3 steals, disrupting Southwestern's flow and creating transition opportunities for his team. Tyrese Rucker's presence on the glass was pivotal, as he pulled down a team-high 9 rebounds, 5 of which were defensive.
Southwestern's top scorer was Theo Alexandersson Ohnell, who scored 14 points on an efficient 5-of-7 from the field. Rickey Loftin II added 13 points but had a quiet game on the boards, securing only 2 rebounds. Erland Pagliero made a solid impact off the bench with 12 points and a steal, but Southwestern struggled to match NCMC's offensive efficiency and rebounding presence.
In total, NCMC out-rebounded Southwestern 44-23, demonstrating their dominance in controlling the paint. They also capitalized on free-throw opportunities, hitting 32 of 42 attempts (76.2%), while Southwestern shot an impressive 93.3% from the line but managed only 15 attempts.