Winona, MN -- North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team continued its road schedule with a non-conference matchup with the Saint Mary's University (SMU) Cardinals on Monday. This would be the first meeting between these two programs, and a much-anticipated one at that. The Rams got off to a fast start and led after the opening quarter before a strong shooting stretch from SMU turned the game. North Central battled throughout but ultimately fell 80-57 to close out the road contest. Senior guard
Brycelyn Brewster continues to lead the NCU offense with 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals.
North Central came out strong, dictating tempo early and setting the tone with aggressive drives to the basket. Senior guard
Brycelyn Brewster converted an early layup and knocked down all six of her first-quarter free throws, helping the Rams earn valuable trips to the line. Freshman guard
Ailani Collazo provided a spark off the bench with a key three-pointer midway through the frame, while senior guard
Lydia Schroeder added a pair of free throws to cap a steady start for the Rams. Defensively, NCU forced multiple turnovers and limited Saint Mary's rhythm, taking a 17-13 lead after one.
The Rams extended their momentum early in the second as
NiNi Davenport, a junior guard, hit a transition three-pointer, and freshman forward
Keiley Mahseet powered her way inside for a tough finish moments later, making it 24-19 in favor of NCU. However, SMU responded with a shooting surge from beyond the arc, closing the half on a 19-5 run to regain control. Despite continued effort on the boards from senior forward
Moriah McLendon and steady defensive pressure, the Rams trailed 37-29 heading into halftime.
Coming out of the break, NCU regrouped and found a rhythm offensively. Brewster and McLendon each converted inside buckets to cut the deficit to single digits. Mahseet added second-chance points in the paint, while Collazo and Davenport combined to push the Rams within five midway through the quarter. The Rams shot 50% in the third frame and matched SMU nearly basket-for-basket, but a late jumper by the Cardinals maintained their advantage. North Central entered the final period trailing 52-46.
The Rams continued to battle into the final ten minutes as
Macy Petersen, a sophomore forward, opened the frame with a jumper assisted by Brewster. However, Saint Mary's responded with a 14-4 run that stretched the lead back to double digits. Collazo and
Daymonie Jackson each found points down the stretch, but the Cardinals' perimeter shooting sealed the outcome. Despite the final margin, North Central showed persistence and defensive effort throughout, highlighted by 9 team steals and 13 second-chance points. SMU's hot shooting proved to be the difference, as they hit 55% from three-point range compared to NCU's 20%. The Rams dominated the free-throw line, converting 19-23 (82.6%) and continued to show growth in their offensive spacing and rebounding presence, finishing with 35 boards to SMU's 39.
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Looking Ahead:
Up next, NCU has another MIAC meeting with the Carleton College Knights on Wednesday, November 12th. That game tips off from Northfield, MN, at 7:00pm.
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