The North Central Missouri College basketball games traveled to Creston, Iowa on Wednesday night to battle the Spartans of Southwestern Community College, and while both Pirate teams trailed at the half, both rallied for victories, improving to 2-1 on the season.

The women's game was described by Lady Pirate coach Jenni Croy as "ugly, but a win", as NCMC trailed 29-21 at the half. A second half rally by North Central hit its peak with four minutes left in the game, with the Lady Pirates taking a one point lead.

Whitney Bennett and Kelsey Griffin knocked down key free throws at the end of the game to extend the game to two points. Mysti Williams led NCMC with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocked shots.

The Pirate men followed a similar path to the women, trailing 28-26 after the first half, but rallying for a 64-59 road win in Creston.

Marshon Norfleet led North Central in scoring for the third consecutive game, knocking in 23 points, with Darreon Parker putting in 11 and Eric McDaniel ten points.

Both North Central teams, at 2-1 on the season, will play at HOME on Friday night, with the Lady Pirates hosting the Graceland JV at 5:30 and the Pirate men hosting the Culver-Stockton JV at 7:30, at the Ketcham Community Center in Trenton.