MINNEAPOLIS -- The North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team played host to the MIAC-affiliate, St. Olaf College (SOC) Oles on Tuesday night in a Minnesota cross-conference showdown. Each team came into the night boasting an 0-1 record and in search of their first win of the season.  Although the Rams managed to dial in on 7 threes on the night, the valiant shooting effort was not enough. A competitive Oles squad came away with their first victory of the season and routed the Rams by a final score of 87-53.

Game Recap

The Blue and Gold came out in this one looking to prove something. From the opening tip, the Rams fired on all cylinders from behind the arc on their transition threes against a lengthy St. Olaf defense.  Throughout the first quarter, the Rams showed their offensive versatility by finding success in multiple facets, including outside shooting on fast breaks, and points in the paints in their half court sets. At the end of the first quarter, NCU headed into the huddle with a lot to be proud of, as they knotted the score up at 21 all. From that point on, however, NCU was unable to establish an offensive rhythm in their half court sets. The Oles managed an impressive run, highlighted by their stingy defense and causing turnovers in addition to shooting 52% from the floor in the third quarter. This was the story through the rest of the second half until the final buzzer. Although the Rams will move onto 0-2 on the year, there were still multiple highlights on the night. The quick start by NCU shows the potential they have to play against the greatest opponents. The key for the Rams moving forward will be sustaining that hot start for an entire four quarters.


Key Performer(s)

• Betty Rand, the senior guard out of Christian Life Academy, dropped 9 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and managed 2 steals while only seeing the floor for 20 minutes on the night.
• Emily DiGiorgio nailed two threes on her only two shots of the contest while also recording 5 boards.

Looking Ahead

As the Rams look ahead to their schedule the rest of the week, they will hit the road for the first time to take on the Blue Angels of Mount Mary University. With this being their third game of the season, the Rams will fight their way into the win colum for the first time of their 2019-20 campaign. The game is set for Friday, November 15, with tip-off slated at 7:00p.m.