Ankeny, Iowa -- The North Central Univeristy men's basketball team defeated Trinity Bible College by a score of 90-86  in Saturday afternoon's NCCAA North Central Region Championship Game. With the win, the Rams clinched a birth in the NCCAA National Tournament.

North Central entered the Regional Tournament as the overall number one seed. After defeating fourth seeded Providence University College Friday afternoon, the Rams faced off with familiar foe and number two seeded Lions from Trinity Bible College.

The entire first half went back and fourth with neither team able to establish a lead bigger than five. The Rams went into the break with a two point defecit, 44-42. 

The second half opened with both teams trading baskets early on. The Rams were able to push the lead to double digits on a Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian/Bluffton Univ.) jumper at the 12:14 mark. Trinity fought to keep it close and had the lead cut to five with just over four minutes to play. Senior Matthew Shepherd (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Homeschool) hit a huge three at the 3:15 mark which halted Trinity momentum and give the Rams a nine point lead, 80-71. 

The closing minutes of the game ended up being alot closer than Ram fans would have liked but North Central was able to convert four free throws in the final 17 seconds to seal the 90-86 win and a birth at Nationals. 

The Rams front court controlled the boards from the start and outrebounded the Lions 51-27. Led by Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo), the hot outside shooting continued as the team shot nearly 43% from deep.

Senior Bryce Burkman (Winsted, Minn./Maple Grove) turned in one of his strongest performances of the season and finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds.

Sophomore Luke Chafin added 15 points and 4 boards. Junior Josh High finished with 14 points (4-5 from deep), and 6 assists. Junior Jordan Harrell (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove ) contributed 13 points along with 8 rebounds.

North Central's bench played a big role in the win led by senior big man Ben Peters (Faribault, Minn./Bethany Academy) who finished with 8 points and 6 boards (3 offensive). Matt Shepherd went 4-4 from the line t go along with his big three pointer to finish with 7 points. 

With the win, the Rams clinched a birth at the NCCAA National Championship. The tournament  will be played March 12-15 in Circeville, Ohio.