MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- North Central Women's Basketball needed their best players to come up big on Friday night versus Faith Baptist Bible College. Shelby Norman and Jamie High answered the call and posted key performances that helped the Rams pull away in the second half for a 55-36 home win.

A tight first half saw the Rams surge to a ten point lead with two minutes left but the Eagles got within 28-22 on a three pointer on the last possession. In the early stages of the second half Faith got even closer on another three pointer that made it 30-27 about four minutes into the period.

North Central then responded with an 8-1 surge that put them back in front by ten, 38-28 with around 11 minutes left. That move proved decisive and, though the Eagles would fight back, nearly every basket from the visitor was answered by a basket from senior Shelby Norman (Winsted, Minn./Watertown-Mayer) or junior Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) as the two captains scored 12 of the Rams final 14 points. The game ended with NCU on a 12-0 run.

Shelby Norman posted a game and season high 19 points along with 4 assists and 2 steals. Jamie High stuffed the score sheet with 16 points, 15 rebounds, 6 steals, 4 assists and 4 blocks. Freshman Lizzy Swanson (Askov, Minn./East Central) added 10 points and 3 assists.

North Central did an outstanding job protecting the ball with just 2 turnovers in the game while grabbing 10 steals and blocking 7 shots. With the victory the Rams earn the top seed in the NCCAA Regional Championship Tournament in February.

North Central will return to action on Saturday in their final game before Christmas Vacation. The Rams will host defending NCCAA Division II National Champion Maranatha Baptist University (Watertown, Wis.). The Rams and Sabercats tip-off at 2 p.m.