Minneapolis, MN -- This evening, the women's basketball team from North Central University (NCU) returned home as they kick off the weekend by hosting the 2025 NCCAA DII Women's Basketball National Championships. The women began the weekend by facing the #2 Champion Christian College (CCC) Tigers from Hot Springs, Arkansas. The Rams faced the Tigers in the national tournament last year, where they lost with a score of 95-86. However, NCU returned to settle the score as they defeated Champion Christian with a final score of 73-65.

North Central came out firing in the first quarter, setting the tone with a dominant 25-14 lead. Kaitlyn VanderPloeg was a force early, making her presence known on both ends of the floor, securing rebounds and finishing inside. She finished the night with a double-double, tallying 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jackie Lindsay also provided a spark, draining two early three-pointers to help establish the Rams' momentum.

The second quarter saw Champion Christian attempt to mount a comeback, closing the gap slightly before halftime. Despite some struggles from beyond the arc, North Central continued to hold its ground, thanks to key contributions from Brycelyn Brewster and McKenzie Latzke. Brewster's playmaking ability shined as she dished out nine assists, keeping the Rams' offense fluid despite their opponent's defensive pressure. The Rams entered the break with a slim 39-34 lead.

After halftime, North Central withstood a strong push from Champion Christian. The visitors managed to tie the game multiple times in the third quarter, but every time the Rams needed a big play, someone stepped up. VanderPloeg made crucial buckets in the paint, while Savi Rael hit timely three-pointers to keep North Central in front. The third quarter ended with the score knotted at 59-59, setting up an intense final quarter.

With the game on the line in the fourth, the Rams' defense tightened, limiting their opponent to just 11 points in the quarter. Key steals by Brycelyn Brewster and a clutch three-pointer by Latzke gave North Central the breathing room they needed. Bueno, who finished with 15 points and 3 steals, knocked down crucial free throws in the closing moments to seal the victory.

Top Performers:

• Kaitlyn VanderPloeg: 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 steals
• Brycelyn Brewster: 10 points, 9 assists, and 2 steals
• McKenzie Latzke: 10 points, 3 assists
• Savi Rael: 11 points, 3 three-pointers, 2 assists

Looking Ahead:

The Rams will continue the search for the Championship Title as they face the #3 ranked Ozark Christian College Ambassadors tomorrow at 7:15 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.