The North Central Missouri College men beat visiting Park University on Friday night, 97-72, with the Lady Pirates, playing two games in the John Wood Classic in Quincy, Illinois, going 2-0 with victories on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, improving to 6-2 on the season.
North Central’s men, playing Friday at the Ketcham Community Center, pulled away from a 41-35 halftime lead in beating the Park JV. Jalen Gant had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Pirates, with Ryan Ward adding 22 and Jordan Reece 19 points and 10 boards. Emil Spriggs had 7 points and six assists.
The Lady Pirates opened play in the John Wood Classic by hammering Bryant & Stratton College (Wauwatosa, WI) on Saturday afternoon in Quincy, 99-62. Sarah Lamp had a double-double to pace the NCMC offense, with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Samm Jett had 18 points, Whitley Richman 14 points and 10 boards, with Kendey Eaton and Nicole Kost both scoring 10 for NCMC. Ashtin Williams and Hailey Burrows both had seven points from the North Central bench. Kiara Donaldson led Bryant & Stratton with 22 points.
On Sunday afternoon, the Lady Pirates played a much different game, and was able to use stout defense for a 59-46 win over John Wood on the Trail Blazers home court. Eaton had 19 points and Lamp nine for North Central, with Lamp ripping down 13 rebounds (12 on the defensive end). Richman was again in double figures, scoring 12 points.
On Tuesday night, the Lady Pirates and Pirates travel to Creston, Iowa to play the Southwestern Community College Spartans. The women’s game tips at 5:30, with the men, playing against the defending JUCO D-2 national champions, playing at 7:30. The Spartans and Pirates will play another doubleheader on Wednesday night, November 29th, this time at the Ketcham Community Center in Trenton.
