MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- For the second time in 24 hours North Central Men's Basketball needed overtime to complete their night. And for the second time they took home a hard fought Upper Midwest Athletic Conference victory. The Rams rallied back at the end of regulation and used the extra five minutes of overtime to earn an 81-75 win over Bethany Lutheran College.

Less than one full day after defeating Martin Luther College (New Ulm, Minn.) in double-overtime, North Central (11-10, 5-7) found themselves down at the end of regulation. When faced with going quietly into the night or battling for the win North Central overcame a four point hole with less than two minutes left to tie it up and push the game into overtime.

The teams played an even first half with both teams claiming leads and no lead larger than six. Right before the break the Vikings got a three point shot that made the difference 38-32 at the break. In the second half North Central made several pushes but every time the Vikings held them off and eventually took a 53-42 lead at the 12:50 mark. Junior Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) then hit one of his six three point baskets and that seemed to spark the Rams. the Vikings answered with a basket but sophomore Cody Martin (Savage, Minn./Burnsville) hit a three point shot that began the Rams final push to force extra basketball.

Over the final 10 mintues of regulation the Rams managed to stay within firing distance. Senior Bryce Burkman (Winsted, Minn./Maple Grove) hit a wing jumper that tied the game at 64-64 with 3:31 left. BLC would jump back in front 68-64 with 2:52 left but the Rams held them off the scoreboard the rest of the way and with 1:11 left Burkman hit another clutch jumper that tied it up at 68-68. Sophomore Clarke Mossman (Marshalltown, Iowa/Homeschool) then drew a crutial charging foul to force a stop on defense. The Vikings blocked an NCU attempt but missed a pair of free throws with 32 seconds left. The Rams ran the clock down and missed shot at the buzzer.

Bethany Lutheran scored first in overtime but the Rams answered with the next five to take a 73-70 lead they would not give away the rest of overtime. After a pair of BLC free throws made it 73-72, Josh High hit a three pointer to keep the Rams in front. The Vikings got a three pointer of their own to make it 76-75 with three minutes left in overtime but that would be their final field goal and NCU converted enough free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

One night after Josh High hit four three pointers he nailed six on the way to a career best 27 points along with 6 rebounds. Bryce Burkman made clutch shots on the way to 14 points and 5 boards and 2 blocks.

Sophomore Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian) added 12 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Junior Jordan Harrell (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) scored 11 points with 9 rebounds. Cody Martin finished with 6 point and 7 assists.

North Central will wrap up their regular season next weekend with a pair of home games. Friday North Central hosts The College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, Minn.) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday the Rams host Northland College (Ashland, Wis.) at 5 p.m.

On Friday February 28 the Rams take on Providence University-College (Otterburne, Manitoba) at 4 p.m. in the first round of the NCCAA Regional Tournament. The region tournament is hosted by Faith Baptist Bible College (Ankeny, Iowa).