MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- For the final few minutes on Friday, the match up between North Central and Crown College looked like it might be a replay of the teams first meeting in January. But the Rams made enough free throws and kept in front down the stretch to earn a 60-55 win over the Storm.

North Central (8-16, 3-10 UMAC) and Crown College (St. Bonifacius, Minn.) played a tight match-up back on January 31, with the Storm overcoming a four point hole in the final two minutes. The Rams had led by as many as 8 before falling on a pair of free throws with less than 20 seconds left. On Friday night the Rams led by as many as 12 with less than 8 minutes left in the second half before Crown fought back and it felt like history might be repeating itself before North Central made a few plays of their own to take the win.

Crown used full court pressure on the ball and tight defense in the half court to create 21 North Centeral turnovers in the game, allowing them to overcome the deficit. North Central led 29-18 at halftime and were in front 46-34 with 7:43 left in the game. However, the Rams turned the ball over 8 times in the final seven minutes as the Storm rallied back. North Central led just 50-47 with 2:44 left but freshman Lizzy Swanson (Askov, Minn./East Central) went 8-8 at the free throw line the rest of the way to help keep the Rams in front as the Storm continued to apply pressure.

Eventually the Storm managed to get within just 56-55 with 51 seconds left before the Rams forced a turnover of their own and Swanson drained two of her eight free throws in the last two minutes. Junior Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn.) then stole an inbounding pass on Crown's next possession and Swanson iced it with her final pair of free throws with four ticks on the clock.

Lizzy Swanson equalled a game high scoring total of 24 points, one shy of her career best mark. Jamie High added 13 points and 13 rebounds along with 5 assists, 5 blocks and 4 steals.

North Central will wrap up their regular season tomorrow at home versus The University of Minnesota-Morris (Morris. Minn.) The afternoon meeting between NCU and Morris will tip-off at 3 p.m. The game will also serve as senior night for the Rams players and parents night for the whole team.