HANCOCK, Mich.-- North Central University Women's Basketball came out on top after a back and forth 40 mintues of action on Friday night. The Rams defeated Finlandia University, 67-62, in Hancock at the Paavo Nurmi Center. 

The Rams (2-4, 0-0 UMAC) and host Finlandia University engaged in a seesaw match-up on Friday that took all four quarters to decide. North Central would take a six point lead after the first 10 minutes as senior Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) hit a jumper at the end of quarter that made it 21-15. 

After the Rams briefly pushed the lead out to eight points, a minute into the second quarter, Finlandia would control the period. The Lions surged to back to lead 29-26 at the 2:23 mark before senior Jenna Cielocha (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) posted back to back three pointers to salvage a 32-29 halftime lead for NCU.

A game that featured 17 lead changes the second half was more of the same with Finlandia getting back in front less than an minute into the third quarter. The Lions would lead after three quarters but Jamie High once again beat the buzzer to trim the Finlandia lead to 49-48 lead after three periods. That NCU momentum would carry over into the final period.

North Central opened the fourth quarter determined to earn a victory and used a quick 8-0 run over the first 90 seconds to establish a 56-49 lead. Finlandia answered with a trio of three pointers to retake the lead, 58-56, at the 5:48 mark. Sophomore Marissa Kari (Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes) and freshman Sydney Steele (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) each drained a pair of key free throws on the next two North Central posessions to give them a 60-58 lead with five minutes left. The Rams would never trail again in the game.

The lead would grow to 64-59 after senior Tania Rosener (Rodney, Iowa/Homeschool) hit a three pointer with 2:41 left and Jenna Cielocha was 3-4 at the free throw line down the stretch to seal the Rams victory. North Central held the Lions to a game low 13 points in the final 10 minutes.

Jenna Cielocha posted a career night and it proved to be instrumental for the Rams. She dropped 19 points on Finlandia on an efficient 6-8 from the floor, including 4-5 from the three point line, along with 6 rebounds. Jamie High posted her fifth double-double over the first six games of the year with 16 points and 15 rebounds with 3 assists and 3 steals. Sophomore Lizzy Swanson (Askov, Minn./East Central) added 17 points and 3 assists to balance the Rams scoring.

North Central will return to action looking to carry Friday's momentum into today's Upper Midwest Athletic Conference season opener. The Rams take on Northland College (Ashland, Wis.) in Ashland at 5 p.m.