Varsity basketball controlled the game from start to finish and clinched a playoff berth in its 71-55 victory over rival Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs on Tuesday, February 2.

“I can’t even describe how big of a win that was for us,” senior guard Ricky Shearman, who scored 16 points, said.

NC lead by as many as 17 in the third quarter, but the Mustangs pulled within six in the fourth before needing to intentionally foul.

Senior forward Myles Lake lead the Warriors with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while fellow senior forward Kenny Ume added 14 and 10.

The win marks the first regular-season series sweep since 2013, and seized a first-round bye in next week’s region tournament, which Marietta hosts.

Having secured second place and unable to catch McEachern in first, NC will essentially play two warm-up games in preparation for the tournament at Marietta on Friday, and at Hillgrove on Saturday.