ASHLAND, Wis.-- North Central pulled in front early and never looked back on the way to their first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference win of the year on Friday. The Rams jumped on Northland College early in the first half and pulled away early in the second to claim a coveted road win in conference action in Ashland.

North Central (5-7, 1-1 UMAC) scored first and never trailed in their second conference game of the year that is part of playing their first three league games on the road in 2014-15. The Rams led by as many as 18 in the first half before taking a 37-23 lead into halftime.

The Rams further separated themselves from the Lumberjacks over the first five minutes of the second half. Junior Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) hit a three point shot with 15:10 left that put NCU in front 45-24 and the Rams would never lead by less than 20 the rest of the way. North Central would lead by as many as 28 in the game before reserve players from each team wrapped up the final 3 minutes of action.

Junior Luke Chafin (Dayton, Ohio/Troy Christian) led all players in both points and rebounds with a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards. He wrapped up action in Ashland on Friday with 999 career points scored and would become the 21st player in Rams history to reach 1000 points scored with any he might tally on Saturday.

NCU will take on the College of St. Scholastica (Duluth, Minn.) tomorrow evening in Duluth. The Rams and Saints are set for a 5 p.m. tip-off. 

Josh High added 12 points along with a career high 7 steals. Senior Jordan Harrell (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) added 9 points and 8 rebounds despite fouling out in 23 minutes of action. North Central held Northland to .219 (14-64) shooting from the floor while shooting .509 (27-53) on the offensive end.