Minneapolis, MN -- Saturday, the women's basketball team from North Central University (NCU) competed in their final game of the 2024-25 season as they took on the top-seeded Pensacola Christian College (PCC) Eagles in the tournament's 3rd place game. The Rams capped their season in style with a relentless offensive attack and stifling defense, securing 3rd place in this year's National Championship Tournament.
The Rams wasted no time setting the tone, with
McKenzie Latzke drilling a three-pointer to open the scoring.
Kaitlyn VanderPloeg quickly made her presence felt in the paint, converting multiple baskets inside.
Piper Flemming and
Savi Rael added perimeter shooting to keep the Rams ahead, while NCU's defensive intensity limited Pensacola's offensive rhythm. By the end of the quarter, the Rams held a narrow 16-14 lead.
NCU started pulling away in the second quarter, fueled by the inside-out play of VanderPloeg and Latzke. VanderPloeg dominated the boards, securing second-chance opportunities, while
Brycelyn Brewster facilitated the offense with precision passing, notching several assists.
Jackie Lindsay provided a spark off the bench, knocking down a key three-pointer to extend the Rams' lead. A strong defensive stand in the final minutes of the half ensured NCU went into the break with a 35-29 advantage.
North Central exploded in the third quarter, outscoring Pensacola 26-14 behind a scorching offensive display.
Kaitlyn VanderPloeg continued her dominance in the paint, finishing with a game-high 22 points and 17 rebounds.
McKenzie Latzke caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting multiple threes, while
Savi Rael added crucial buckets to stretch the lead. Defensively,
Piper Flemming and
Ann Smith anchored the Rams, with key steals and blocks disrupting Pensacola's offensive flow. The Rams shot an impressive 58.8% from the field in the quarter, building a commanding 61-43 lead heading into the final period.
With momentum firmly on their side, NCU put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. Brewster orchestrated the offense beautifully, finishing with 16 points and 8 assists.
Alaysia Rusch and Rael delivered dagger three-pointers to further demoralize Pensacola's defense. On the defensive end, VanderPloeg and Flemming continued to shut down the paint, with the Rams forcing multiple turnovers. A late basket by
Macy Petersen put the finishing touch on the dominant performance as NCU closed out a 78-55 victory.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
This concludes the women's 2024-25 season. The Rams ended the year with a 9-22 overall record and went 3-11 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). NCU won its third straight NCCAA North Region Championship this season.
North Central will bid farewell to 6 seniors, Kaitlyn VanderPloeg, Piper Flemming, Ann Smith, Savi Rael, Amira DiSabatino, and McKenzie Latzke.
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.
