ANKENY, Iowa-- Women's Basketball led wire to wire and cruised to a victory over Faith Baptist Bible College on the road Tuesday evening. The Rams scored on their first two possessions and led by double-figures throughout the first half in a 61-40 win for North Central.

North Central (4-11, 1-7 UMAC) grabbed the opening tip and immediately took control of the game that is counted toward NCCAA regional standings. With 90 seconds left in the first quarter, the Rams claimed their first double-figure lead, 16-6. Though Faith would stay within reach for most of the first half it was a sign that North Central was starting to seize control of the game. The Rams led 17-8 after the first quarter.

Faith Baptist would get within 19-14 with 6:44 left in the second quarter before the Rams made a decisive move. North Central ended the quarter on a 12-2 run and led 31-16 at the break. NCU would lead by as much as 28 with 3:57 remaining in the game before Faith reduced the difference to the final scoreline.

KEY SEQUENCE OF THE GAME

North Central was in control for most of the game but the decisive run began late in the second quarter. Sophomore Haley Modahl (Minneapolis, Minn./Edison) converted an old fashioned three point play with 2:34 left in the period to start the move. A steal by freshman Sami Koland (Sandstone, Minn./East Central) led to a lay-up by senior Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo). Sophomore Marissa Kari (Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes) then hit a jumper with 56 seconds left to complete a 6-0 surge that made the score 31-14 and Faith Baptist never threatened again.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• NCU claimed a 32-31 rebound advantage
• The Rams rebound advantage was key to the blowout win as they also outshot the Eagles .419 to .346
• Jamie High led the Rams with 17 points and 9 rebounds with 4 assists and 2 steals
• Marissa Kari added 16 points and 7 boards while sophomore Lizzy Swanson (Askov, Minn./East Central) added 11 points.

KEY PERFORMANCES

Jamie High led the Rams in points and rebounds but Marissa Kari's three first half three pointers were a key launching point for the Rams big first half lead. Kari's rebound effort was also important to keeping the Eagles to just 4 second chance points.

UP NEXT

North Central hosts Northland College (Ashland, Wis.) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play. Saturday the Rams host Finlandia University (Houghton, Mich.) at 5 p.m. in a non-conference game.