The North Central Missouri College Pirates fell in their postseason opener to Metropolitan Community College, taking a 95-86 defeat in NJCAA Division 2, Region 16 semifinal action on Friday afternoon in Jefferson City.
The Pirates started strong, leading 46-42 after one half of play, only to see that advantage disappear in the second half, with the Wolves outscoring North Central 53-40 over the final 20 minutes.
Metropolitan, following Friday’s momentum seizing victory, went on to win the region title, downing St. Louis on Saturday afternoon 89-86.
The Pirates, for the second year in a row, fell short of a national tournament that the program had become very accustomed to attending, with the 2022-2023 season ending with a mark of 17-11.
Earning first-team All-Region 16 honors for North Central were sophomore guards Gerald Gittens and Kam Bevel. Gittens averaged 12.7 points per game and Bevel 14.5 points per game in their final seasons as Pirates.
