NIACC edges North Central Missouri, 71-70

COLUMBUS, Mo. - The NIACC men's basketball team edged North Central Missouri College 71-70 on Sunday at the Pinnacle Bank Thanksgiving Classic.

Sophomore Bradley Andrews connected on a jump shot from the right corner with 20 seconds left to give the Trojans' their 71-70 lead. North Central Missouri missed a pair of free throws with 1.1 seconds left in the contest giving the Trojans' the narrow 1-point victory.

NIACC (5-2 overall) led 45-40 at the half and pushed its lead to 67-58 with six minutes to play. North Central Missouri took a 70-67 lead with 1:38 left in the game.

Cortaviaus Seales connected on two free throws with 1:24 to play to trim the NCM lead to 70-69. The Pirates turned the ball over on their next possession setting up Andrews' game-winning field goal just inside the three-point line.

Seales led NIACC with 21 points with three rebounds, three assists and four steals. He was 8 of 13 from the field, including three 3-point goals. Jacques Kelly was next in line with 14 points and Noah Rigatuso scored 11 points.

Andrews and Jeffrey Skogen both scored eight points.

NIACC returns to action Monday at home against the Mount Mercy University Junior Varsity. Game time in the NIACC gym is slated for 7 p.m.

NIACC's 2021-22 season (5-2 overall)

NIACC 70, Bryant & Stratton 69 (H)

Milwaukee Area Tech 103, NIACC 67 (H)

NIACC 105, Sisseton Wahpeton College 67 (H)

NIACC 76, Graceland University JV 56 (N)

NIACC 110, William Penn JV 66 (N)

Central CC-Columbus 91, NIACC 84 (A)

NIACC 71, North Central Missouri College 70 (N)