Minneapolis, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team continued its non-conference stretch at home with a home game versus the Free Lutheran Bible College (FLBC) Conquerors. From the opening tip, the Rams controlled every phase of the game, shooting over 54% from the field and piling up 50 bench points on their way to a commanding 97-44 victory. Senior forward
Moriah McLendon sparked the performance early, finishing a perfect 7-of-7 from the floor and leading the Rams in scoring once again with 16 points.
North Central wasted no time establishing pace, energy, and pressure. After falling behind 2-0, junior guard
NiNi Davenport knocked down a right-wing three to give the Rams their first lead, and the offense never slowed from there. NCU's defensive activity repeatedly disrupted FLBC's rhythm, forcing 12 first-quarter turnovers and turning them into early transition opportunities. Senior guard
Jackie Lindsay entered off the bench to convert a series of drives, while sophomore forward
Macy Petersen provided an immediate spark with an offensive board and kick-out assist that led to a three from sophomore forward
Olivia Beach. Beach caught fire in the period, drilling back-to-back threes and stretching the lead to double digits. McLendon added multiple downhill finishes, and Davenport closed the frame with a late jumper to push NCU to a 32-10 advantage after the opening quarter.
The Rams remained relentless to open the second, scoring on their first two possessions as Beach and McLendon capitalized in transition. Freshman forward
Keiley Mahseet entered and made an immediate impression with strong interior touches, scoring twice in the paint and running the floor for another midrange finish.
Grace King knocked down a smooth catch-and-shoot three, and NCU's ball movement continued to overwhelm the Conquerors, totalling 13 assists in the first half alone. The Rams held FLBC to just 1-12 shooting in the quarter while converting nearly 69% of their own attempts. A late sequence featuring a steal from Lindsay and a fastbreak layup stretched the halftime lead to 57-21.
NCU opened the second half the same way they closed the first, efficient and in rhythm.
Jackie Lindsay canned a transition three to jumpstart the quarter, followed by another
NiNi Davenport triple from the wing. On the defensive end, the Rams forced repeated turnovers, setting up easy runouts. Senior guard
Brycelyn Brewster attacked downhill for a strong layup, and sophomore forward
Olivia Beach continued her career-high performance with a fastbreak finish off a feed from
Keiley Mahseet.
Grace King added another late-quarter three, and Mahseet knocked down multiple midrange jumpers as the Rams extended their lead to 81-31 heading into the final frame.
With the game well in hand, North Central continued distributing minutes and developing depth. Senior guard
Erma Ramirez knocked down a three early in the fourth before adding a pair of free throws and a strong driving finish.
Macy Petersen delivered two more free throws and assisted on a corner three from King, who hit her third triple of the night. Senior forward
Aleysha Will capped off the evening with a late paint finish to secure NCU's highest scoring output of the season. The Rams closed the night shooting 54.4% from the field, 44.4% from three, and forcing 27 turnovers to seal a 97-44 win.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
Up next, NCU remains at home for another non-conference matchup as they host Grinnell College on Saturday, November 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. inside the Clark-Danielson Gymnasium in Minneapolis, MN.
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