Minneapolis, MN -- After a big 99-63 win versus Martin Luther, North Central University (NCU) men's basketball would face the top-ranked Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings in a homecoming matchup at Clark Danielson Gymnasium. The teams last faced on December 8th in Mankato in which the Vikings defeated the Rams 72-63. Today, the visitors showed why they're sitting on top of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) with an undefeated conference record as they outplayed the Rams coming out on top by a score of 110-86.
Early in the first half, both teams traded buckets back and forth but the Vikings would come out with a lead at 15-10 after going on a 7-0 run. The Rams lost senior captain Tanner Holtman after a scary fall early in this one. A layup from Ja'Shon Simpson and a three from Remy Wedgeworth-Brown tied things up at 15 apiece. Unfortunately, two North Central turnovers led to another Bethany scoring run as they took a 22-15 lead over NCU. Later in the half, the Rams forced three Vikings turnovers and sparked an 8-0 run to cut Bethany's lead to just three after a three-point strike from Carrington McNeal. At the end of the first 20 minutes of play, Bethany Lutheran had a 51-40 lead going into the halftime break.
The start of the second half was a slow one, with just one lone bucket by the Vikings being scored in the first three minutes. Four minutes in, transfers Nik Feller and Jack Courneya hit a three-pointer and mid-range jumper cutting the deficit to 11 points. However, Bethany Lutheran continued to display their efficient shot making ability as they quickly grew the lead to 17 points with 13:15 left. With just under ten minutes left, guard Carmello McNeal would try and will his team back into this one by scoring 5 straight on his own. However, the Bethany lead was too big for the Rams to overcome. The Vikings ended up going on a 9-0 run to push their lead and eventually took a commanding 28-point lead as went up 99-71 with five minutes left. Bethany Lutheran would stay out in front as they continue their undefeated UMAC run by defeating North Central by a score of 110-86.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
The men will wrap up UMAC regular season play next weekend as they take on Crown College in game three of this four-game homestand next Friday. Tipoff is set for 7:15 pm!
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