MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -  The North Central University (NCU) men's basketball team played host to the Martin Luther College (MLC) Knights on Thursday night in chilly downtown Minneapolis. The contest was a battle as both teams were looking to gain some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. In a back and forth battle MLC was able to nudge NCU in overtime by a final score of 84-81

Game Vitals

• MLC used a 10-1 run to give the Knights a halftime lead.
• NCU went on a 12-2 run to erase the MLC lead midway through the 2nd half. 
• The Knights out shot the Rams by a narrow margin 47.7 percent (31-for-65) to the Rams 41.9 percent (26-for-62)

Game Recap

• Early in the first half the game both teams were struggling to gain an advantage. A very back and forth start to the contest saw both teams tied 20-20 with 10 minutes left to go in the half. NCU used 3 free throws by Jared High and a Micah Filer three-point bucket to give them a 26-20 lead. The teams continued to trade buckets down the final stretch of the 1^st half. However, MLC went on a late 10-1 run to close the 1^st half and give them a 40-31 lead heading into half time. Micah Filer had 8 points for NCU in the 1^st half. To open the 2nd half, both teams continued to trade baskets, until AJ McGrew went on A 5-0 personal to make it 46-40. MLC used a 7-2 run to extended their lead 55-46, causing NCU to call a timeout with 13:16 left in the contest. The timeout sparked NCU as they came out with a 12-2 run to take the lead 58-57. During the 12-2 run NCU got a spark from Senior Jared High who went on a personal 6-0 run. NCU continued building the lead as NCU went on yet another huge run, this time a 10-0 run. NCU was fueled by Micah Filer scoring 7 of those 10 points. MLC would not go quietly, the Knights answered with a 6-0 run of their own to make the score 71-68 with 4:55 left in the game. The game stayed close as NCU and MLC exchanged free throws making the score 78-76 with 1 minute left in the contest. MLC had an opportunity at the final horn to win the game but it rimmed out and sent the game into overtime with a score of 78-78. Both teams got the scoring going from the free throw line making the game 81-80 with 3 minutes remaining. A bucket for MLC with 1:04 left in overtime gave the Knights a 82-81 lead. A costly NCU turnover gave MLC a chance to extend their lead at the line. MLC hit 1 of the 2 free throws giving them a 83-81 lead. NCU wasn't able to overcome the narrow deficient as the MLC took down the host NCU 84-81.

Key Performers

• Micah Filer 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
• Jared High 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals
• AJ McGrew 20 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals

 
 
Next Up
 

• The men's basketball team will stay at home on Saturday, February 2^nd and host the Lions of Trinity Bible College. The non-conference contest is scheduled to tip at 3 p.m.

 
 

MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Justin Brown at 612-343-3539 or email Jdbrown@northcentral.edu.
Print Friendly Version