Minneapolis, MN -- Today, the North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team rematched the University of Northwestern (UNW) Eagles for "Coaches vs Cancer" Night. The two teams last met on January 6th in which the Eagles beat the Rams by a score of 90-54. Tonight, the Rams would be led by senior Kayla Hola who posted her third double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds. However, Northwestern came out on top as they completed the season sweep over North Central winning this one by a score of 62-58.
The Rams would jump out to a 4-1 lead thanks to jumpers in the paint by Joelle Talso and Kaitlyn VanderPloeg. Eventually, the Eagles would tie things up as they would knock down a three. Kayla Hola was the Ram's answer as North Central retook the lead at 6-4 after the seniors post finish. Freshman spark plug, NiNi Davenport checked in and knocked down two big threes to energize Rams nation. From here, NCU held onto their lead as the first quarter would end with the Rams having a 16-14 lead over the Eagles.
To start the second quarter, Davenport would start the scoring with a pull-out mid-range jumper to increase the Ram's lead to 18-14. Eventually, with the score at 24-20 still in favor of NCU, UNW went on an 8-0 run to take the lead at 28-24. To finish out the first half, VanderPloeg would capitalize on an opportunity to cut the Northwestern lead to one. At the break, the Rams went into the locker room trailing the Eagles 28-27.
Looking to retake the lead, the Rams came out hungry as they went on an 8-0 run to open up the second half, led by the scoring of Hola and VanderPloeg. NCU would hold this lead for most of the third quarter. However, the Rams fouled an Eagle and Northwestern would go up by one in the final minute. The teams entered the fourth and final quarter with UNW holding a 45-44 lead over NCU.
To start the final quarter, UNW opened things up with a midrange jumper, but NCU would waste no time as they answered right back by going on a 6-0 run thanks to a layup by Hola and a pair of jumpers made by Caitlyn Ryan. However, the lead was short-lived as the Eagles tied things up with a three-point strike. Bryce Brewster then made two free throws, affording the Rams a 52-50 lead. Then Northwestern would score 7 unanswered to reclaim the lead at 57-52. With about 90 seconds left in the game, guard NiNi Davenport drilled a three to pull the Rams within two. However, the Rams would be forced to resort to fouling and UNW was perfect from the line. In the end, North Central would fall by a score of 62-58.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
The women will head to Superior, Wisconsin for a matchup against the University of Wisconsin-Superior. The ladies will look to complete the season sweep of the Yellowjackets next Friday. Tipoff is set for 5:30 pm.
All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages for updates on women's basketball and all things NCU Athletics.
