Minneapolis, Minn.-- The North Central University Men's basketball team won their first game of the season Saturday afternoon as they defeated Maranatha Baptist Bible College 88-80 at the Northwestern Tip-Off Tournament.

After a hard fought loss the night before, the Rams (1-1) came out with a quick start in the first half against the Crusaders (Watertown, Wisc.). North Central took a 26-8 lead after a breakaway slam by junior Juice Washington (St. Louis, Mo. / Maplewood-Richmond Heights). The Rams later extended their lead to 44-21 after a lay-up from freshman Maurice Cain (Chicago, Ill. / Mayo). 

Maranatha (0-2) then finished the half on a 15-6 run to close the Rams lead to 50-36 at the break. The Crusaders carried that momentum into the second half as they came within three points of North Central with 4:45 remaining in the game.

At that point, the Rams used solid free throw shooting along with timely baskets from Washington and sophomore Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio / Troy Christian) to finish the game on a 14-9 run to close out the victory. 

North Central used a balance scoring attack in the game as four players recorded double digit points and 12 different Rams scored in the contest. Chafin and junior Josh High (Buffalo, Minn. / Buffalo) led the Rams with 16 points each. High connected on four three-pointers in the game and made all four of his free throw attempts off the bench to go along with five rebounds and three assists. Washington finished the game with 15 points and a team-high three blocks. Senior Bryce Burkman (Winsted, Minn. / Maple Grove) scored 15 points of his own while collecting a team-high eight rebounds.

The Rams were 27-for-52 from the field (51.9 FG%) while they held the Crusaders to 36.2 percent shooting from the field.

North Central continues play this Friday as they travel to Chicago, Illinois to participate in the Moody Bible Big Four Tourney. Their first game is a 7p.m. tip-off against Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, Ill.).