Minneapolis, MN -- This Tuesday, the North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team hosted the Central College (CC) Dutch at Clark-Danielson Gymnasium in their final contest of 2024. When these two competitors met last season, the Dutch beat the Rams 74-63 in Minneapolis. In tonight's matchup, North Central put together a solid first half where they only trailed by two after holding the Dutch to just 5 points in the second quarter. However, Central broke loose in the second half as they cruised to a 58-40 victory.
After the Dutch scored the inaugural bucket of the game, NCU answered back with a jumper in the paint by
Kaitlyn VanderPloeg. Central then went on a 7-0 run to command the lead. The Dutch were able to extend their lead to double digits at 16-6 in the final minutes of the first quarter. A bucket by VanderPloeg and three-pointer from senior captain
Savi Rael would cut the lead to five.
After a sloppy start to the second with three straight turners, the Rams got back on track with back-to-back layups by
Savi Rael and
Jackie Lindsay. Both teams struggled shooting the ball in the second, leaving the game up for grabs. Aided by poor shooting from CC, the Rams also clamped down defensively forcing 7 turnovers in the quarter and holding the opponent to just five points scored.
Kaitlyn VanderPloeg started cooking late in the second with a handful of post finishes to bring North Central to within two at 23-21 in favor of the Dutch.
The early parts of the third were highlighted by a
Kaitlyn VanderPloeg three-pointer late in the shot clock. However, after a lackluster showing before the half, Central College came out roaring on offense, shooting 50% (6-12) from the floor and scoring 12 points in the paint. The Rams trailed 39-28 after shooting 21.4% (3-14) from the field in the third.
The fourth and final quarter was much of the same as the Dutch extended their lead with efficient offense. Central College led by as much as 22 points with under two minutes to play. NCU turned to its reserves at that point and received positive contributions offensively from freshmen
Moriah Landry and Mikayla Washington. North Central lost 58-40 when it was all said and done.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
After returning from Christmas break, the Rams will play against Alverno College at home. The game is slated for Saturday, January 4th at 2:00 PM.
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