ST. PAUL, Minn.-- A huge night for the Rams big men was not enough for North Central to overcome Northwestern College on Tuesday night. NCU hung with the defending Upper Midwest Athletic Conference post-season tournament champion for the second time this season but came up on the short end of an 87-83 loss at Northwestern in the league opener for each team.

North Central (6-6, 0-1) battled through the first 20 minutes never trailing by more than four points and taking a 37-35 lead into the locker room. Northwestern would rally out of the break to take back the lead but never gained more than a seven point advantage throughout the second half.

It looked like the Eagles were set to pull away late with an 84-77 lead with 1:22 remaining in the game before NCU made a final surge. Lay-ins from junior Jordan Harrell (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) and sophomore Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian) cut the margin to just three with 31 seconds left.

After NWC went 1-2 on a pair of free throws senior Dylan McKneely (Baton Rouge, La./Broadmoor) got another lay-in to make it 85-83 with 13 ticks left. After another 1-2 trip to the line that made it 86-83 for the Eagles Luke Chafin missed a three point shot that would have tied the game and Northwestern earned its second narrow victory over NCU on the season

North Central got an outstanding night from its starting forwards led by a pair of double-doubles. Junior Bryce Burkman (Winsted, Minn./Maple Grove) led NCU with 21 points and 12 rebounds while Jordan Harrell tallied 20 points and 10 boards.

Luke Chafin also notched his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 boards. Freshman Clarke Mossman (Conrad, Iowa/Marshalltown) chipped in 10 points.

The Rams will go back to work in another UMAC conference match up when they take on Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, Minn.) at home on Friday evening. NCU and the Vikings are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m.