HANCOCK, Mich.-- Men's Basketball fell behind by double figures early and after several surges came up on the short end in a road loss to Finlandia University on Friday night. The Lions built a comfortable halftime advantage and then held on in the second half to defeat NCU, 95-86, at the Paavo Nurmi Center.

North Central (1-4, 0-0) found themselves down by double figures just six minutes into the contest and spent the next 33 minutes trying to play catch up. Finlandia (Hancock, Mich.) built a 20-7 advantage by the 13:59 mark of the opening half before the Rams got back into the game.

Junior Isaiah Rustad (Hudson, Iowa/Hudson) hit a three pointer with seven minutes left in the half to get the Rams within 30-26. After Finlandia answered with a three pointer of their own freshman Cameron Cummings (Minneapolis, Minn./Anoka-Ramsey CC) knocked down a three pointer that got the Rams back within four at 33-29 with less than six minutes left.

But the Rams had a four minute scoreless spell that allowed the Lions to rebuild their lead. The hosts would lead by as much as 50-35 before senior Josh High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) hit a three pointer with 16 seconds left in the half and Finlandia would lead 50-38 at the break.

In the final half, Finlandia would lead by as many as 24 with 13 minutes and kept their lead at a comfortable margin before the teams began playing reserves. Over the last three minutes the Rams cut into the lead enough to create a respectable difference in the final scoreline by outscoring the Lions 48-45 in second half.

Sophomore Joel Cline (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest) led the Rams with 20 points. Sophomore Hunter Roeder (Portland, Ore./Mt. Hood CC) came off the bench to add 15 points and 3 steals. Freshman Jared High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo), Isaiah Rustad and Josh High all reached double figures with 13, 12 and 11 points respectively. 

North Central will return to action today in their Upper Midwest Athletic Conference season opener. The Rams take on Northland College (Ashland, Wis.) in Ashland at 3 p.m.