Minneapolis, MN -- Tonight, North Central University (NCU) men's basketball finally returned to Clark Danielson Gymnasium after 8 straight road games as they faced the Northland College (NC) Lumberjacks. Coming into tonight's matchup, North Central was fresh off a huge road win over the Northwestern Eagles and Northland had yet to win a contest. Not letting today be the day they change that, NCU sophomore guard Ja'Shon Simpson would have a breakout performance with 25 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team to a 99-80 victory over the Lumberjacks.
The visiting Lumberjacks would be able to take an early 8-2 lead in this one. However, a strong finish at the rim by Ja'Shon Simpson and a 3-pointer from Jack Courneya would spark an 11-0 run that would give NCU the 15-10 lead with just under 14 minutes to go in the half. The Rams would push the pace in transition, resulting in multiple fast break buckets to extend their lead to 11. Northland would storm back by scoring 7 unanswered to make it 23-19 with 8:59 remaining. Buckets by Carrington McNeal and Simpson would quickly stretch the lead back to double digits. Jack Courneya would convert on a pair of buckets late in the half to give the Rams the 36-27 advantage headed into the break. Ja'Shon Simpson had a team-high 12 points and 8 rebounds in the first 20 minutes.
After a missed dunk attempt by NCU, the Lumberjacks would take it the distance to score first in the second half of action. The teams would trade baskets back and forth through the first five minutes. Eventually, with the score 46-55 in North Central's favor, Remy Wedgeworth-Brown would convert an and-one play followed by a three-point dagger by Tanner Holtman. With a little over 9 minutes to play, NCU scored 9 straight to give themselves their largest lead of the night at 21. North Central would continue to pour it on in the final minutes of this one. The Rams would go on to pick up their second straight conference win with the 99-80 victory tonight.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
The Rams will turn around and face the University of Wisconsin Superior Yellowjackets tomorrow at 4:45 p.m. here at Clark Danielson Gymnasium.
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