Mount Vernon, IA -- North Central University (NCU) women's basketball headed back to Iowa for another non-conference matchup against Cornell College (CC). North Central and Cornell have met in each of the last two seasons, with NCU falling 71–52 at home a season ago and 61–56 on the road the year prior. This year's originally scheduled meeting in November was postponed due to inclement weather. Tonight, the Rams battled through a strong fourth-quarter push from Cornell and secured a gritty 62-58 road win, highlighted by senior forward
Moriah McLendon's 17-point performance.
North Central opened with energy on both ends, immediately capitalizing on early defensive stops. Senior forward
Moriah McLendon scored the first bucket of the night, sparking the Rams' initial run. Senior guard
Jackie Lindsay added two early free throws before senior guard
Lydia Schroeder finished a strong drive inside, pushing the lead to 6-2. The Rams then broke the game open behind perimeter shooting. McLendon knocked down a rhythm three off a kick-out from Lindsay, and junior guard
NiNi Davenport drilled a transition triple to extend the margin. NCU's defensive intensity held Cornell to just 4-of-19 shooting in the quarter, giving the Rams a 17-8 advantage after 10 minutes.
The Rams continued their momentum with McLendon hitting her second three of the night to begin the quarter. After a defensive stop, senior guard
Brycelyn Brewster attacked the lane for a layup that pushed the lead to 22-8. Though Cornell earned a few trips to the free-throw line to momentarily steady the scoring, NCU responded immediately. McLendon added another point at the stripe, and Brewster found her rhythm, converting multiple free throws to maintain control. Schroeder also delivered a perfect trip to the line late in the frame before Davenport connected on a deep three with 17 seconds remaining. NCU held Cornell to just 10 points in the quarter and carried a commanding 33-18 lead into halftime.
Cornell opened the second half with renewed energy, hitting back-to-back threes to trim the margin. The Rams answered with a composed offensive sequence, as Davenport found McLendon cutting for a needed layup. Moments later, Schroeder buried a crucial three from the wing, and Brewster finished a fast-break layup off a Schroeder steal to rebuild the double-digit advantage. Sophomore guard
Grace King added a big three at the 4:07 mark, one of NCU's seven triples on the night. Cornell continued to score at the line, but the Rams' balanced response allowed them to maintain a 47-38 lead through three quarters.
Cornell surged early in the final quarter, cutting the deficit to four behind interior scoring. Davenport halted the run with a midrange jumper before adding a free throw to restore a two-possession lead. The Rams' defensive rebounding also held firm, with Schroeder and Lindsay securing key boards. Cornell made another push, narrowing the game to 50-48, but Lindsay delivered one of the game's biggest shots, a clutch jumper with 4:52 remaining. Moments later, McLendon cleaned up an offensive rebound with a put-back to make it 56-52. Lindsay added a massive three at the 2:25 mark off an assist from Davenport, pushing NCU ahead 59-52. Brewster iced four late free throws in the final minute, and Lindsay sealed the win with a final trip to the line. Despite Cornell's late scoring, NCU's poise down the stretch secured the 62-58 victory.
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Looking Ahead:
Up next, NCU hosts Trinity Bible College this Saturday, December 13th. Tip-off is set for 2:00 PM inside the Clark-Danielson Gymnasium
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