ST. PAUL, Minn.-- North Central found themselves down by double-figures at several points in both halves of their Upper Midwest Athletic Conference opener on Saturday night. They also rallied back to get within a single posession each time and pushed the defending conference champion The University of Northwestern to the final minute before falling 75-67.

North Central (4-7, 0-1 UMAC) started slow on Saturday night at The University of Northwestern in what has become the traditional opening of Upper Midwestern Athletic Conference play featuring these two teams less than 20 miles apart. The Rams missed their first five shots and fell behind 11-0 over the firsts four minutes of the game. NCU fought their way back into the game when junior Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) hit a three pointer that gave the Rams their first lead at 18-17. After the Eagles answered with a three of their own, High then nailed another three pointer that made it 21-20 with 8:29 left in the first half.

But a three minute scoring drought for the Rams and a hot shooting stretch for the Eagles allowed the hosts to build a 41-27 lead at the break. Out of the locker room the Rams immediately chisseled their way back into the action. Over the first five minutes of the second half the Rams got back to within 46-44 when Josh High got a steal and lay-up with 15:15 left. Throughout most of the second half North Central would be within two possesions and got within 66-65 with just over two minutes left. But UNW would make enough free throws and hit a three pointer with less than a minute left that sealed the game.

Junior Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian) posted double-double of 19 points and 11 boards that each equaled game high totals. Senior Jordan Harrell (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) and freshman Travis Voigt (Green Bay, Wis./N.E.W. Lutheran) each added 16 points. Josh High scored 13 points on 4-5 shooting from the floor.

North Central will return to action next weekend with a trip to the northern end of the UMAC map. Friday the Rams will be at Northland College (Ashland, Wis) for a 7:30 p.m. match-up with the Lumberjacks. Saturday NCU will take on The College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, Minn.) at 5 p.m. in Duluth.