NIACC tops No. 11 Kirkwood, 78-73

MASON CITY - Myles Tucker banked in a three-pointer with less than two seconds remaining to lift the NIACC men's basketball team to a 78-73 victory over No. 11 Kirkwood on Saturday afternoon in an ICCAC contest.

With the game tied at 73-73, Tucker connected on a 3-point goal well beyond the top of the key to give the Trojans a 3-point cushion.

Kirkwood (14-4 overall, 4-3 in the ICCAC) turned the ball over on its final possession and quickly fouled. Jaydin Dunlap made two free throws to give the Trojans a five-point victory.

NIACC's win over Kirkwood snapped a six-game losing streak to the Eagles.

Before Saturday, the last win by NIACC over the Eagles was a 76-74 win in the 2020 NJCAA Region XI tournament semifinals at Kirkwood when Deundra Roberson scored the game-winning basket in the final seconds.

In Saturday's win, Tucker and Chett Helming both scored 29 points as the Trojans beat a rated team for the first time since topping No. 14 Iowa Lakes 83-81 on Jan. 12, 2022.

It was the first time since Jan. 23, 2020 that two NIACC players scored at least 25 points in the same game. In the 2019-20 season, Quentin Hardrict scored 30 points and Wendell Matthews scored 26 points in a 106-65 win over the Simpson College Junior Varsity.

Tucker, who connected on six 3-pointers, was 11 of 20 from the field. Helming was 11 of 21 from the field, including three 3-point goals.

Tucker now has 103 career 3-point goals, which is tied for 11th on the school's career 3-point list with Chris Throne (2010-12). Next on the list is Nick Wurm (2016-18), who ranks 10th with 108.

Helming also had seven rebounds, three blocks and three steals.

NIACC's Koen Derry scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his second career double/double. Derry also had a double/double with 10 points and 10 rebounds at Iowa Western on Jan. 4

NIACC (7-11, 2-5) returns to action Monday at home against the Luther College Junior Varsity. Game time in the NIACC gym is slated for 7 p.m.