MINNEAPOLIS – The North Central University women's basketball team enjoyed being back on their home floor for the first time in 2020 on Monday afternoon, when they played host to the Blue Angels of Mount Mary University (MMU). In a sound display of defensive toughness, the Rams defeated the Blue Angels by a final score of 68-59 in a heavily anticipated back-and-forth affair.

Game Recap

NCU and MMU traded punches for the majority of the contest. From the opening tip, the Rams and Blue Angels went back-and-forth on fast breaks, and it eventually led to MMU holding a four-point lead after the first quarter. The rest of the first half continued to be much of the same story as the Blue Angels and Rams matched statistical outputs in almost all facets of the game. In the second half, the Rams started to build their lead and provide assurance to closing out the game, but the Blue Angels refused to go down without giving their best shot. Similar shooting numbers from the third and fourth quarters from both teams forced the game to turn into who could outpace the other in their shooting efficiency. As the game started to wind down, the Rams were able to build their lead and come away with a double-digit victory. Overall, the Blue and Gold managed to stick to the foundation of their success and get the win against a hard-fighting Blue Angels squad. NCU never let MMU hold the lead for too long, and this comeback mindset will prove as a vital component for the squad heading into the bulk of their schedule moving forward.
 
Key Performer(s)

• Junior center Emily DiGiorgio was ferocious everywhere on the court. The Ironwood, MI product tallied 24 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 steals.
• Kadija Conteh made a prolific way onto the scene by providing the Rams with a tremendous stat-line of 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

Looking Ahead

NCU women's basketball has now moved on to an overall record of 5-6 (2-2 UMAC) on the 2019-20 season. Before heading into a long stretch of crucial UMAC games starting this upcoming weekend, the Rams will welcome the Maranatha Baptist University Sabercats this Thursday and look to get back to a respectable .500 overall and conference record. The pivotal contest is slated for tip-off at 5:00pm.