2nd ranked North Central Missouri College showcased an impressive team performance in their matchup against Highland Community College, pulling off an 86-75 victory. The win kept NCMC perfect for the season as they head into the holiday break with a record of 14-0. Their next action won't be until January 11th when they travel to Johnson County CC, a matchup that pit ranked rivals against each other once again.
The offense was spearheaded by a dominant outing from Giovanni Mack, who filled the stat sheet with 28 points, connecting on 9 of 15 field goals, including three triples. Mack also displayed his versatility with eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while going a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line.
Jon Carroll anchored the paint, nearly achieving a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds. His efficiency around the rim and on the boards helped North Central maintain control in key stretches. Camden Bennett added 14 points, combining strong shooting and steady defense, while Tyler King contributed 13 points and five rebounds, showing resilience despite shooting struggles from deep.
Off the bench, Mikey Thomas provided a spark with eight points in limited minutes, including a perfect 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. Za'Corrie Kerr and Deng Gak chipped in with effort plays, as Kerr hit a timely three-pointer and Gak contributed on defense and ball movement.
For Highland, Tavian Tate stood out with 20 points, making 8 of 14 shots, including two three-pointers, while adding five assists. Braiden Wagner and Markell McClain each tallied 11 points, keeping Highland within striking distance for much of the game. Rashad Kee's eight points and five rebounds off the bench were notable, but Highland's struggles with turnovers and rebounding ultimately proved costly.
North Central's slight edge in shooting efficiency (49.2% from the field) and their dominance on the boards, outrebounding Highland 31-25, played pivotal roles in the victory. Their ability to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and a balanced scoring attack highlighted a strong all-around team effort that sealed the win.
