SUPERIOR, Wis. – Following a tough loss to Bethany Lutheran College on Wednesday evening at home, the Rams looked to turn the tides on Saturday afternoon as they travled across the border. North Central University (NCU) squared off with one of the top seeded teams in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) with a chance to keep their playoff hopes alive and do some damage to the top of the standings. The Rams battled in a back and forth dual that ended with an opportunity in the final seconds to take the lead, but a shot by
Micah Filer was just off the back iron as the Yellowjackets narrowly edged the blue and gold by a score of 76-75.
Game Recap
North Central were the first ones to get comfortable in the opening minutes of the contest, jumping out to an 8-4 lead. After the Rams threw the first punch the Yellowjackets countered taking the lead right back thanks to a 7-0 run. The lead continued to change hands throughout the first twenty minutes but it was the Yellowjackets who found themselves leading headed to the break.
Micah Filer was nearly unstoppable in the first half for the Rams, registering 16 points to pace NCU.
North Central came out of the break just as they did to start the contest, with a chip on their shoulder. The Rams grabbed the lead just 3 and a half minutes into the second half, but once again it was the Yellowjackets answering right back. Superior pushed their lead to 7, their largest of the half, at the ten minute mark, but the Rams did not quit fighting. NCU fought to take the with 2:30 on the clock and appeared poised to come away with the win following some key stops in back to back possessions. With the clock ticking away and the Yellowjackets feeling the upset upon them, NCU fouled a jump shooter with just 29 seconds left and after three free throws, the Yellowjackets led by 1 point. NCU had a great look in the final seconds, but the shot was just off the back iron, finding themselves on the wrong side of another heartbreaker.
Key Performer(s)
Looking Ahead
The Rams will look to rebound during a stretch of away games. First up on the schedule for NCU is a matchup with the Knights of Martin Luther College. The Rams travel to New Ulm, Minn. as they look to grab their third UMAC win and sweep the Knights in their season series.
