MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – On Saturday evening, the North Central University (NCU) men's basketball team took the floor against the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) Cougars for the last time of the 2019-20 season. In stunning fashion, the Rams finished the year on the highest note possible by knocking off the Cougars 86-84.
 
Game Recap
 
The Rams came out of the gate looking to leave it all out on the floor in their last contest of the year. Early on, it was Dolan Tierney (Mill Creek, WA, Henry M. Jackson High School) who provided the Rams with an immediate impact. In the first few minutes of action, Tierney converted on back-to-back driving layups to bring the Rams back from an early 8-2 deficit. Through the next ten minutes of trading leads, sophomore guard Micah Filer (Sacramento, CA, Capital Christian) knocked down a three at the 6:51 mark to give the Rams a 25-23 lead. From this point on, the Rams managed to never let the lead slip away for the duration of the contest. As the first half winded down, NCU started to build its lead over the Cougars in only 5 minutes of play. This was the most pivotal stretch in the matchup, as the Rams were fueled by multiple threes from senior guard Riley Loukinen (Little Falls, MN, Little Falls High School), to give the blue and gold a massive halftime lead of 49-31. 
 
In the second half, the Rams managed to hold a commanding lead for the entirety of the 20 minutes. Around the 8-minute mark, the Cougars started to find their groove from three and chipped away at NCU's lead. With 3 minutes left in the game, the Cougars pulled to within two points of the Rams. With a few crucial defensive stops and late-game free throws down the stretch on the final few possessions, NCU hung onto their lead and finally managed to put the Cougars away. 
 
Seniors Shine on Senior Day 2020
 
Ironically enough, the two standalone seniors Riley Loukinen and Dolan Tierney paved the way to victory for the Rams.
 
Riley Loukinen was fundamental to the Rams' success in this one. The sharpshooter led the Rams' offensive attack with 20 points on a staggering 4-of-8 from three. In four seasons of play, Loukinen will finish his remarkable career in a Rams uniform as one of the most efficient three-point shooters in NCU basketball history, with an astounding 45.3 3FG%.
 
Making his first start of his collegiate career for the Rams, Dolan Tierney took massive advantage of the opportunity by posting his career-high in multiple categories. The senior guard put up 14 points on an efficient 6-of-11 shooting from the field. Tierney also contributed 6 rebounds and 6 assists, all of which were career-highs for the Mill Creek, WA product.