ASHLAND, Wis.-- Women's Basketball could not hold onto a first half lead in a loss to Northland College in the Rams Upper Midwest Athletic Conference season opener. North Central struggled for offense in the second half in a 57-42 loss at Kendrigan-Chapple gym. 

North Central (2-5, 0-1 UMAC) led after the end of both the first and second quarter on Saturday but an offensive drought in the third quarter ended up proving to be the difference. North Central led 22-21 at the half but posted just five points in the third quarter and that was all the Lumberjills needed to created separation.

North Central scored the first two points of the third quarter, a pair of free throws from senior Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) but then went scoreless over the next five minutes. A field goal from sophomore Lizzy Swanson (Askov, Minn./East Central) got the Rams within 27-26 but that would be the only field goal for NCU in the quarter. Over the final five minutes the Jills built the difference to 38-27.

An 11-0 run by Northland that spanned end of the third and start of the fourth quarter extened their lead to 43-27 with 8:35 left in the game. The Jills would lead by as many as 18 with 7 minutes to go. North Central fought to get back within 12 when Jamie High hit a jump shot with 2 minutes left that made it 52-40 but that would as close as the Rams could climb the rest of the way.

Despite drawing double team defense all night Jamie High continued to be a reliable double-double performer with her sixth such game over the first seven contests of the year with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Lizzy Swanson added 13 points and 7 rebounds in the loss. North Central outrebounded the Jills 43-32.

The Rams will be back in action next weekend with a pair of home UMAC match-ups. Friday the Rams take host The University of Minnesota-Morris (Morris, Minn.) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Saturday the Rams host Crown College (St. Bonifacius, Minn.) at 5 p.m.