MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- Friday night was a night to remember for North Central Men's Basketball. The Rams got a victory over Martin Luther College after the two teams battled through a pair of overtimes. Key performances from Clarke Mossman and Isaiah Rustad helped keep the Rams alive in a back and forth game that North Central won 108-102.

Freshman Isaiah Rustad (Hudson, Iowa/Hudson) got off to a quick start by scoring seven of the Rams first nine points and a jumper at the 14:58 mark of the first half gave him 9 points and earned NCU a 14-9 lead. But the back and forth nature of the first half saw North Central climb ahead 21-15 with 10:18 left only to trail less than five minutes later. Despite leading 28-26 after junior Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) hit one of his four three pointers, NCU would need a lay-up just before the break to decrease a double-figure Knights lead to 46-38 at halftime.

Out of the locker room NCU opened with a 12-2 run to take a 50-48 lead on a three point shot from Isaiah Rustad with 16:47 left. That began what would be an intense next 26 minutes of basketball that saw each team build a lead of at least five points before the other responded. North Central led 66-61 with the ball but could not add to the difference. MLC took the lead, 74-73, with 4 minutes left before Clarke Mossman (Marshalltown, Iowa/Homeschool) made a great baseline cut and sophomore Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian) found him for a lay-up to give the Rams a one point lead with just more than three minutes remaining.

But after North Central got another bucket from Mossman, MLC managed to take a one point lead with just 1:37 left in regulation. Mossman contined his career night by giving the Rams an 81-79 lead with 58 seconds left after he made a lay-up, was fouled and converted a free throw. Luke Chafin then went 1-2 at the free throw line and the Knights hit a three pointer to tie it up with 9 ticks left and the game headed to overtime.

The Rams got in deep trouble falling behind 91-84 with just 2:21 left in the overtime. However, just as it seemed Martin Luther was doomed at the end of regulation, the Rams responded with resolve. Sophomore Cody Martin (Savage, Minn./Burnsville) hit one of his four clutch three pointers to begin the Rams fight to force a second overtime. After a pair of MLC free throws senior Bryce Burkman (Winsted, Minn./Maple Grove) got a pair of his own to make it 93-89 with 1:32 left. The Rams then forced a turnover off their halfcourt trap and Josh High hit a three pointer to get the Rams within one with 51 seconds left. After a Knights miss Luke Chafin snagged an important defensive board and was 1-2 at the free throwline to tie the game with 18 seconds left. NCU forced a long three that was no good and the teams kept their Valentines Day match up alive for another five minutes of overtime.

After NCU scored first the Knights responded by taking back the lead with 3:24 left. Cody Martin then nailed a three point shot that made it 98-97 with around three minutes remaining. Finally the Rams began to get momentum to establish a 101-97 lead after Bryce Burkman got a defensive rebound and converted a pair of free throws with 59 seconds left. Of course, on this night, the Knights would not go down quietly and got to within three with 17 seconds left but Isaiah Rustad made a pair of free throws and the Rams held on the rest of the way to take the win.

In a double-overtime victory many names contributed to the Rams win including Luke Chafin who led the Rams with 23 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Bryce Burkman also battled for 18 points and 9 rebounds along with 4 assists, 3 steals and a block. Josh High added 12 points and 6 boards. 

Then a trio of career performances stood out and helped complete a great victory led by Clarke Mossman's 20 points. Isaiah Rustad scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Cody Martin scored 12 points and dealt out 7 assists along with 2 steals.

North Central will have little room for rest as they get back to work tomorrow evening. The Rams host Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, Minn.) at 5 p.m.