JOPLIN, Mo.-- Women's Basketball rode their top players as they have all season and came out on top on Friday. Lizzy Swanson and Jamie High almost outscored Ozark Christian College themselves and the Rams earned a 74-57 win over the Ambassadors to advance to the fifth place game at the NCCAA National Tournament.

North Central led but just one point after a quarter but a decisive second quarter proved to be the difference in the Rams moving on to Saturday's fifth place game at the NCCAA National tournament. NCU led 16-15 after 10 minutes but held tournament host Ozark Christian (Joplin, Mo.) to just three field goals in the second quarter and outscored OCC 22-9 in the period. The Rams led 38-24 at the half.

The Rams covered every move that Ozark attempted in the second half. NCU led by as many as 27 with 6 minutes to play in the game before the teams arrived at the final scoreline.

KEY SEQUENCE OF THE GAME

Ozark Christian was struggling on offense but still found a way to be within 28-22 with three minutes to play in the second quarter. But the Rams closed the period on a 10-2 run including eight from senior Jamie High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) and took momentum into the locker room they never relinquished.

KEY PERFORMERS OF THE GAME

Jamie High and Sophomore Lizzy Swanson (Askov, Minn./East Central) carried the Rams as they had all season. Swanson posted a game high 30 points with 5 rebounds and 3 assists. With her fourth 30 points game of the season Swanson also broke the Rams single season scoring mark. Jamie High posted 24 points on 11-18 shooting with 11 rebounds, 4 assists and no turnovers.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• NCU shot .518 (29-56) from the floor while holding Ozark to .370 (20-54) shooting.
• The Rams blasted OCC 38-24 on the boards
• North Central posted a 38-16 advantage in points in the paint

UP NEXT

North Central advances to the national fifth place game on Saturday. The fourth seed Rams will take on fifth seed Pensacola Christian College (Pensacola, Fla.) at 3 p.m.