MINNEAPOLIS - North Central University men's basketball (7-11, 3-8 UMAC) defeated Finlandia University (4-15) in a thriller victory from late game heroics from Travis Voigt (Green Bay, Wis./NEW Lutheran). The Ramas had five players score double-figure points in a team offensive effort. North Central had 21 assists to Finlandia's 14 in a game where the Rams offense clicked from the intial tip. North Central also scored 19 points off turnovers captializing on the Lions mistakes in the final stretch.

How It Happened

First Half: Finlandia scored the first two baskets but North Central responded with a 5-0 run to give the Rams a 9-4 lead. The Lions made four consectutive three-pointers to regain the lead and turn the game into a one possession game. Both teams traded buckets until the Rams went on a 9-2 run to open the lead over the Lions to ten points. However, aggesive play in the paint for Finlandia closed the Rams lead to seven at the half. Jared High (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo) lead the Rams with 12 points and four rebounds. CJ Lewis (Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy) and Travis Voigt had 11 and 10 points respectfully.

Second Half: Out of the locker room the Lions bounced back to tie the game at 49 apiece within four minutes. About four minutes later the Lions converted back-to-back layups, earned a foul, and converted on a three-point play to give the Lions a five point lead, 61-56. Austin Bulthuis (Willmar, Minn./Central Minnesota Christian) came off the bench and converted three consectuive baskets for the Rams regaining and extending the lead to 72-65. As the clock ran down the scoreline tightened. On the last play of the game with the score tied 78-78 Voigt went up for the game winning three-point shot but was fouled by the Lions giving him the chance for three points at the free-throw line. Voigt converted the last of his attempts and securing the Rams win, 79-78. Bulthuis lead the Rams with eight points. Lewis had seven points and High tallied four rebounds.

Up Next: North Central University will be back in action at home on Saturday, February 4 at 5 p.m. against Northland College. The following Tuesday, February 7, the Rams will travel to Hancock, Michigan for a rematch against Finlandia in a make-up game from December. Tip-off for the second game with Finlandia is set for 6 p.m. CST.