The 16th ranked Lady Pirates showcased a balanced offensive effort and a strong presence on the boards to secure a hard-fought 69-59 victory over Southeast Community College on Saturday. From the outset, both teams exchanged baskets, but North Central's perimeter shooting and rebounding edge proved decisive. NCMC is now 11-7 overall with their next test coming on the road when they travel to Southwestern CC on Wednesday.
Jessica Reeter led the offensive charge for North Central, pouring in 18 points on 5-of-15 shooting, including an impressive 5-of-13 from beyond the arc. Reeter also demonstrated her playmaking ability, dishing out five assists while contributing five rebounds and two steals. Her sharp shooting from long range gave her team the edge they needed to stay ahead.
Oliviya Tinoco provided additional firepower with 13 points, connecting on three triples of her own. She also added five assists and two rebounds to her stat line, showcasing her versatility on both ends of the floor. A'Myah Bankston chipped in with four points and three rebounds, contributing critical minutes on the perimeter despite struggling from the field.
In the paint, Abbi Fountain was a dominant force, grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass. Her presence inside was pivotal in limiting Southeast's second-chance opportunities and keeping the ball in North Central's hands. Fountain also tallied five points and two assists, complementing her stellar rebounding effort.
Jacie Morris was another key contributor for North Central, adding seven points and six rebounds while providing steady defense. Off the bench, Honor Mannings and Kayanna Cranmer combined for 13 points, with Mannings shooting a perfect 3-of-4 from the field and Cranmer battling for five boards. Talicia Byrd and Tailer Morrison made solid contributions, adding four points and two rebounds each.
Southeast Community College struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting just 34.5% from the field and 16.7% from three-point range. Despite their struggles, Jessica Wertenberger scored 17 points and added six rebounds, three steals, and two assists in a valiant effort. Isabella Minatti and Aleziah Anderson each chipped in eight points, but Southeast couldn't match North Central's balanced scoring attack and dominance on the glass.
North Central outrebounded Southeast 42-29, including a decisive 13 offensive boards that led to critical second-chance points. Their defensive intensity, combined with a more efficient shooting performance (38.2% from the field and 25.0% from three), allowed them to secure the victory despite committing 21 turnovers, an area they will look to improve moving forward.
