MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- Men's Basketball dropped their home opener on Tuesday night to Macalester College. Five Rams reached double-figure scoring but overall a low shooting percentage from the floor doomed the Rams late rally in their second loss to start the season.

North Central (0-2, 0-0 UMAC) only led briefly at two early points in the first half and spent most of the evening playing catch-up. Macalester took a 29-25 lead to the locker room that also included a 14-12 rebound advantage.

In the second half North Central took over the glass but the Scots made one more field goal on seven less attempts as the Rams struggled to a .355 (11-31) scoring clip in the final 20 minutes. The Rams got within 58-53 after senior Jordan Harrell (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) grabbed an offensive rebound and found an open Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) who drained a three pointer. The Scots missed a lay-up attempt on the other end but grabbed the board and a Rams foul gave them a pair of free throws they converted. That would be as close as the Rams would get down the final four minutes of the game.

For the game NCU outrebounded Macalester 35-31 including a 21-14 second half advantage. But North Central shot just .368 (21-57) from the floor while Macalester hit an even .500 (24-48) shooting.

Jordan Harrell led North Central with 12 points and a team high 7 rebounds. Freshman Joel Cline (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest) scored 11 points his home debut and matched Harrell with 7 rebounds. Josh High and freshman Travis Voigt (Green Bay, Wis./N.E.W. Lutheran) each also recorded 11 points. Senior Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian) added 10 points.

The Rams will be back in action on Friday when they play in the ACR Homes Tip-Off Classic hosted by The University of Northwestern (St. Paul, Minn.) The Rams tip off at 4 p.m. versus The University of Dubuque (Dubuque, Iowa). Saturday NCU takes on Simpson College (Indianola, Iowa) at 3 p.m.