MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. NCU Men's Basketball got back on the winning track with a pair of important wins over Northland International on Friday night in overtime and on Saturday over Providence College in their Parents Day game. NCU had been off all week after having a mid-week game with Luther College canceled due to weather and lost on the road to Faith Baptist Bible College last Saturday.

Friday North Central hosted Northland International University (Dunbar, Wis.) in a rematch of a game that NCU lost at home in overtime to the Pioneers last season. This time NCU would come out on top after an overtime period. After falling behind by 11 points with 6:25 to play in the first half NCU went on a 15-6 run to end the half down 42-40. Quickly NCU tied the game in the second half on a steal and lay up by Jordan Faust (South Kingstown, R.I./South Kingstown). Levi Kooistra (Brookfield, Ill./Nashua Christian) got the lead back for NCU on a jumper with 18:53 in the second half. Though NIU would tie it several times NCU would never trail again. NCU ran their lead out to 9 points on a pair of Ross Johnson (Kenosha, Wis./Tremper) free throws at 5:38 play. But North Central managed only one more field goal in the half and the Pioneers tied it at 71 with a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left. Two final NCU shots came up just short and the game went to overtime. The Rams would hold NIU to a single field goal in the extra period, outscoring the visitors 7-2 in overtime for the victory. Bryce Burkman (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) hit 3-4 free throws, Levi Kooistra got a big offensive board and lay-up, and Nathan Roeder (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) hit two free throws to seal the the 78-73 win. Roeder led NCU with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Jordan Faust had a career best night in both points and rebounds pulling down his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. Andrew Berndt (Andover, Minn./Andover) added 13 points. Bryce Burkman scored 12 points and grabbed 9 boards. Ross Johnson also scored 12 points and Levi Kooistra added 11 points.

Saturday NCU struggled through the first half of their Parents Day game verses Providence College (Otterburne, Manitoba) but managed to go to the half up 33-30. North Central then opened up the second half with an 11-0 run and would never lead by less than 12 for the rest of the game. The Rams would lead by as many as 27 in the second half where 15 players earned playing time and 11 players scored. Bryce Burkman had a career and game high 23 points while pulling down 11 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the year. Ross Johnson had an efficient 14 points on 7-9 shooting from the floor. Levi Kooistra was also in double figures in scoring with 10 points.

NCU returns to action tonight for a 7:30 pm tip-off with Crown College (St. Bonifacius, Minn.). The game is part of NCU's annual campus spirit festival known as "The Week". There will be an indoor tailgate at 7pm and halftime will feature a hot dog eating contest.