ASHLAND, Wis. – North Central men's basketball (3-6) fell to Northland College (5-5) 70-68 in a close Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) contest on Friday evening in Ashland, Wis. Isaiah Rustad (Hudson, Iowa/Hudson) and Levi Herrick (Minocqua, Wis./Lakeland Union) both recorded a double-double for their shooting and rebounding efforts. Rustad led the Rams with 16 points and added 10 rebounds while Herrick added 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. North Central shot 41 percent from the floor and 52 percent from beyond the arc compared to Northland's 38 percent and 37 percent respectfully. The Rams outscored the Jacks with points in the paint 26-16. All five of the Rams starters scored double-digit points in the Rams effort to knock off the Jacks at home.

How It Happened:

First Half: The Rams shot 62 percent from the three-point line and Joel Cline (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest) had ten points with physical play inside the paint. Rustad added eight points while Herrick tallied six in a half that ended with the Rams ahead by three 33-30.

Second Half: Both teams exchanged shots and leads throughout the second half. Jared High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) scored 11 points and went 3-5 from beyond the arc. Rustad and Herrick added four rebounds each. Going into the final minutes of play the teams traded baskets, fouls, and the lead. However, the Jacks scored in the final seconds of play to get the win 70-68.

The Rams will play Finlandia University on Dec. 17 in Hancock, Mich. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. live video for that game can be found here. The next home game for the Rams will be Jan. 13 against Martin Luther in Clark-Danielson Gymnasium. Tip-off for that contest is slated for 7:30 p.m.