Northfield, MN -- Wednesday, the North Central University (NCU) men's basketball team continued its early-season road slate with a non-conference matchup against the Carleton College (CC) Knights. With the season still taking shape, North Central heads into the matchup focused on establishing consistency in their defensive execution, rebounding, and balanced offensive attack as they prepare to face another Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) opponent. Although North Central was still seeking its first win in the series after dropping all four prior meetings since 2018, tonight presented an opportunity to rewrite that narrative. In a tightly contested battle that featured nine ties and twelve lead changes, North Central lost its lead late in the second half and eventually conceded an 83-79 road loss.
North Central delivered one of its strongest opening halves of the season, attacking early and keeping constant pressure on the paint. Senior guard
Carrington McNeal set the tone immediately, pushing the Rams into transition and sparking multiple early scoring plays. Senior guard
Carmello McNeal added an early three-pointer and worked as a secondary playmaker, helping NCU keep momentum during a tightly contested first stretch. Off the bench, junior forward
Connor Yslas made an immediate impact with interior finishing and offensive rebounds that extended possessions, while fellow junior forward
Jax Effertz knocked down a rhythm three to widen the gap. The Rams' efficient ball movement and decisive drives resulted in 46 points in the paint and a 50% team shooting mark in the half. Their defensive pressure translated into transition opportunities, highlighted by multiple steals from both McNeal brothers. Late in the half, North Central stacked stops to fuel a 10-0 run, capped by a pair of free throws from Carrington at the buzzer to send NCU into halftime up comfortably at 47-32.
The Knights opened the second half aggressively, closing the gap with interior scoring and second-chance baskets. Despite the pressure, North Central continued to find clutch responses, particularly from
Carrington McNeal, who powered through multiple possessions with tough finishes in the lane. Yslas helped steady the Rams again with consecutive baskets, while senior forward
Elijah Smith added key rebounds and free throws to slow the opponent's push. Carmello re-energized the offense with a critical steal-and-score that briefly gave NCU a second-half lead during a tense stretch filled with lead changes. North Central remained perfect at the foul line for the night (10-10) and reclaimed a 79-77 lead with under 30 seconds left on a crucial tip-in by Yslas. However, the Knights answered immediately, converted late free throws, and capitalized on a final turnover to seal the outcome at 83-79.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
Up next, North Central continues its road stretch with another non-conference matchup as they face the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in the Bruce Wilson Shootout on Friday, November 21, in Indianola, Iowa. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 6:00 PM inside Cowles Fieldhouse.
All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams
Instagram,
Facebook, and
Twitter (X) pages for updates on men's basketball and all things NCU Athletics.
