ST. PAUL, Minn.-- North Central University Women's Basketball was defeated in the opening game of their Upper Midwest Athletic Conference schedule on Tuesday night. Northwestern College jumped out on the Rams early and pulled away in the second half for a 71-51 victory over NCU.

North Central (4-7, 0-1) took their only lead of the game on a first possession free throw and extended the lead to 3-0. The next possession Northwestern (6-6, 1-0) tied the game and never looked back on the way to a decisive win.

The Rams struggled to protect the ball, committing 25 turnovers with just 6 assists on the night. NCU also shot just 20-53 (.377) from the floor on the night and going just 9-17 from the free throw stripe.

Junior Jorie Grenell (Lakeville, Minn./Spring Lake Park) led NCU with 15 points. Sophomore Melissa Kidd (Spring Lake Park, Minn./Spring Lake Park) added 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Junior Emily Aleckson (Braham, Minn./Cambridge Christian) added 9 points and 4 rebounds. Freshman Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) scored 8 points and snatched 4 boards.

The Rams will be back in action at home on Friday evening with another UMAC conference tilt. NCU hosts Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, Minn.) at 5:30 p.m.