Superior, WI -- Tonight, the North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team made their way to Superior, Wisconsin to take on the Yellowjackets from the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS). The Rams and Yellowjackets previously faced each other in the 2024 UMAC Women's Basketball Semifinals, where the North Central fell to Superior with a final score of 72-59. This evening, the Rams were able to keep within striking distance throughout the first half and cut the deficit to just 5 points early in the 3rd quarter. However, a late-game push would give the Yellowjackets the 71-55 win at home.

North Central got on the board first in this one with a jumper from senior Piper Flemming. UWS quickly responded with an 8-0 run to take an early lead. Brycelyn Brewster helped keep the Rams in it with a pair of layups in the first quarter. Superior led 16-10 after the first. 

UWS started the second with back-to-back putback layups off offensive rebounds. Junior Jackie Lindsay got in the scorer's column in the second with a runner in the lane. Savi Rael knocked down a key three-pointer off the kick-out assist from Mikala Washington. A sloppy end to the first half would not allow either team to score efficiently down the stretch. After a tip-in layup from Kaitlyn VanderPloeg to close out the half, NCU trailed 30-22 headed into the break. 

The teams went back and forth early in the third quarter, as McKenzie Latzke and Brycelyn Brewster hit three-pointers to cut into the UWS lead at 34-29. Superior then rattled off 9 straight points to expand their lead to double digits. NCU struggled to score the rest of the quarter and the Yellowjackets were able to take a 55-37 lead headed into the final quarter. 

In the fourth, Brewster and VanderPloeg would carry the Rams offensively with 6 and 5 points, respectfully. Savi Rael connected on her second three of the contest as well. Throughout the night, North Central did a good job of working their way to the charity stripe, shooting 16-22 (72.7%) in the game. Unfortunately, UWS held on to their comfortable lead and won by a final score of 71-55.


Top Performers:

• Kaitlyn VanderPloeg: 17 points and 4 rebounds
• Brycelyn Brewster: 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists
• McKenzie Latzke: 7 points and 3 rebounds

Looking Ahead:

On Saturday, January 11th, North Central will travel to St. Paul to face the University of Northwestern (UNW) Eagles. The game will begin at 4:45 PM.

All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) pages for updates on women's basketball and all things NCU Athletics.