LA CROSSE, Wis. – North Central University (NCU) was back on the floor on Saturday afternoon for the first time after the New Year. The Rams squared off with the V-Hawks of Viterbo just across the border. It was all V-Hawks through the first twenty minutes, but halfway through the second half the Rams were able to cut their once 21 point deficit to two with just five minutes to play, but the effort was not enough to to overcome the early deficit. Viterbo finished the Rams off with some tough finishes and free throws to pull away for the 85-73 victory.
Game Recap
NCU came out of the gate quickly in the first two minutes and jumped on the V-Hawks to take an early 6-2 lead, but after the first punch from the Rams Viterbo fired right back with an upper cut. The V-Hawks settled right in and torched the Rams defense from behind the arc to the tune of seven triples on 50% shooting in the first half. Finding themselves in a deep hole late in the first half, the Rams started to build momentum by cutting their 21 point deficit to 16 in the final two minutes before the break. NCU flipped the switch in the second half and displayed some impressive shooting of their own. After recording just 5 assists in the first period the Rams were clicking as a team, finishing with 11 assists on 15 made field goals in the final 20 minutes. A huge contributor to the Ram's second half success was
Seth Fuqua who popped off for all 14 of his points in the second half. NCU used their hot shooting to pull within two points on two separate occasions late in the game, but the early hole was just dug too large for the Rams to overcome.
Key Performer(s)
Looking Ahead
The Rams will travel back home as they prepare to jump back in to conference play next weekend. NCU will enjoy a few days off before they have a date at home with the Storm of Crown College at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 11th.
Media: For further information, please contact
Mike Knipe at 612-343-3541 or email mjknipe@northcentral.edu.
