NCMC men’s basketball is off to an outstanding start to the season. The Pirates hold a 4-1 record and sit at 15th in the latest NJCAA D-II Men’s Basketball poll.

Pacing NCMC offensively this season are the freshman duo of Deng Giet and Isiah Thomas, averaging 22.2 and 21.0 points per game respectively.

As a team, NCMC is shooting a robust 49.2% from the field and averaging 92.6 points per game. The team’s lone loss to date came against second-ranked Kirkwood CC in overtime.

NCMC 99, Community Christian 80

North Central Missouri College earned a 99-80 victory over Community Christian, led by a balanced offensive effort and strong ball movement.

Isiah Thomas led the Pirates with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, while Grant Redd added 18 points, including two three-pointers. Mekhi McNeil contributed 16 points, seven assists and seven rebounds, while Deng Giet finished with 14 points and seven assists.

Jaishon White added eight points and five rebounds, and Myles Bachali chipped in eight points off the bench.

The Pirates shot 53.4% from the field and 57.1% from three-point range while recording 23 assists in the win.

NCMC 107, Kansas Christian College Varsity Reserve 75

North Central Missouri College delivered an impressive offensive performance, defeating Kansas Christian College Varsity Reserve 107-75. The Pirates had five players reach double figures, led by Thomas with 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting.

White added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Redd contributed 16 points and nine assists. Giet recorded a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and McNeil finished with seven points and three assists. NCMC dominated the glass, outrebounding Kansas Christian 55-21, including 24 offensive rebounds, while shooting 51.9 percent from the field.

NCMC 98, John Wood CC 92

The Pirates earned a 98-92 victory over John Wood Community College behind a balanced offensive performance.

Giet led the Pirates with 28 points, shooting 10-of-12 from the field and 2-of-2 from three-point range. Thomas added 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists while Redd finished with 18 points. McNeil contributed 16 points, eight assists and three steals and White recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The Pirates shot 50% from the field and dished out 21 assists in the victory.

Kirkwood CC 88, NCMC 83

North Central Missouri College came up just short in an 88-83 loss to Kirkwood Community College.

Giet led the Pirates with 32 points, shooting 13-of-22 from the field and 5-of-9 from three-point range while adding eight rebounds and three steals. Thomas contributed 18 points and six rebounds while McNeil and Redd each finished with 12 points.

Redd knocked down four three-pointers and dished out six assists. White added nine points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The Pirates shot 54.5% from three-point range (12-of-22) and 90% from the free-throw line (9-of-10) in the five-point defeat.

NCMC 76, #17 Allen County CC 68

The team earned a 76-68 victory over Allen County Community College behind a balanced offensive effort and a strong performance on the boards.

Giet led the Pirates with 22 points, knocking down five three-pointers, while Thomas added 21 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for a double-double. White contributed 16 points and eight rebounds, and McNeil finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.

NCMC outrebounded Allen County 35-20 and went 19-of-29 from the free-throw line to secure the win.