MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- A back and fourth game ended differently than North Central Men's Basketball hoped for on Friday night. After NCU and The College of St. Scholastica played a tight first 30 minutes a few plays down the stretch cost the Rams in an 86-78 defeat.

North Central (11-11, 5-8) and The College of St. Scholastica traded leads throughout the first 30 minutes of action on Friday night. Neither team led by more than four points with the Saints taking a 35-32 lead to the locker room.

Out of the break NCU tied it up in the first 15 seconds of the half and the teams traded shots and leads over the next seven minutes. One of the biggest moments of the game came with 13:06 left and the Saints leading 53-51. The Saints got a steal and NCU fouled the player breaking out for the lay-up. It was ruled an intential foul which awarded free throws and possession of the ball. CSS hit both free throws and then nailed a three point shot to take a 58-51 lead. Eventually Scholastica would lead 62-53 with 11 minutes left.

North Central would climb all the way back to tie the game, 66-66, when junior Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) hit a three pointer with 5:51 left. But CSS took back the lead and was up 76-75 when they hit a cluctch three point shot with a minute left. After a couple good chances for NCU to keep pace, Scholastica made enough free throws to close out the win.

Senior Jordan Harrell (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) was a force down low with a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian) added 15 points and 8 rebounds. Senior Bryce Burkman (Winsted, Minn./Maple Grove added 12 points while freshman Isaiah Rustad (Hudson, Iowa/Hudson) scored 10.

North Central wraps up its regular season with Parents Day and Senior Day on Saturday. The Rams host Northland College (Ashland, Wis.) at 5 p.m.