NEW ULM, Minn.-- North Central was within reach of a victory late in the game on Friday but Martin Luther College pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 62-50 win over the Rams. After taking their first lead of the game early in the third quarter, North Central struggled shooting the ball and that gave the Knights an advantage they used to claim the win.

After trailing 26-23 at halftime, North Central (3-8, 1-4 UMAC) scored the first five points of the third quarter to take their first lead of the game. But Martin Luther would reclaim the lead at the seven minute mark of the third quarter and North Central would stay close but never led again.

Throughout the third quarter NCU was within two possessions before Martin Luther gained an advantage in the final quarter when senior Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) fouled out with five minutes left in the game. The Knights extended their lead to double figures and finished off the win.

KEY SEQUENCE OF THE GAME

With 4:37 remaining in the game, the Rams trailed 53-45 after freshman Syndey Steele (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) hit a pair of free throws. NCU got a stop on defense and created two point blank scoring opportunities near the rim but missed both. MLC quickly took the ball the other way and got a basket that pushed the difference back to double-figures and the four point swing effectly ended any chance the Rams had at a last minute rally.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Three Rams reached double-figure scoring led by Sydney Steele's 12 points
• Lizzy Swanson scored 12 while Jamie High posted 11
• NCU struggled shooting the ball firing just .293 (17-58)
• North Central forced 22 Knights turnovers and nabbed 16 steals

KEY PERFORMER OF THE GAME

Syndey Steele stepped up for the Rams on Friday night when her team was struggling to score. The freshman led the Rams in scoring and added 3 steals and 5 rebounds with no turnovers at the point guard spot.

UP NEXT

North Centrail will be back in action tomorrow evening at Bethany Lutheran College (Mankato, Minn.). The Rams and Vikings are scheduled for a 5 p.m. tip-off.