DULUTH, Minn. -- North Central University (NCU) hit the road for their first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) matchup of the season as they squared up with the Saints of the College of St. Scholastica. The Saints came in sporting just a 1-5 record on the year but the team who was picked to finish 3rd in the UMAC Coach's Preseason Poll was geared to go on their home floor. The Rams started fast, taking an early lead but after the first five minutes the Saints seemed to settle in. NCU seemed to hurt themselves with self-inflicted wounds and the Saints were right their to capitalize. Scholastica grabbed a 15 point halftime lead and never looked back as they ran away with a 87-63 win. 

Game Recap
After an early turnover and a quick Scholastica three, the Rams answered right back with their own punch in the form of a 6-0 run. after the Rams took a 4-point lead, their largest of the game, the Saints started to find their rhythm. The Saints eventually took the lead at the 12 minute mark and they would be the final time the Rams saw their number in front Scholastica. The story for the night that seemed to corralled the Rams were self-inflicted mistakes. NCU failed to capitalize at the rim and Scholastica took advantage on the other end. The Rams closed the gap to 11 in the final minutes of the first half with a 4-0 run, but the Saints answered back with their own to keep NCU at bay as the two headed to the break. A Rams push back and a Saint's counter punch was a common theme in the final 20 minutes of the contest. Every time the Rams were poised to jump right back in the game, the Saints would answer right back. The Saints pushed the lead to their largest of the game in the final two minutes cruised to the 87-63 victory. Scholastica was led by their senior guard Collin Anderson who came off the bench to contribute 22 points on 7-11 from the field.

Key Performers
Micah Filer - 17 pts (7-15 FG), 7 rebs
Allen Ardley Jr. - 12 pts (5-7 FG), 2 rebs

Next Up

The Rams will head back home to prepare for another big matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Rams will look to even their conference record at 1-1 with another UMAC opponent coming to town. NCU will lace it up against the Yellowjackets of Wisconsin-Superior who come in after a big win this evening against Northland College.

Media: For further information, please contact Mike Knipe at 612-343-3541 or email mjknipe@northcentral.edu.