Ankeny, IA -- Tonight, the men's basketball team from North Central University (NCU) competed in the NCCAA DII North Regional Championship, facing the Trinity Bible College (TBC) Lions. The Rams saw this team in last year's NCCAA Regionals, where North Central took the victory over Trinity with a final score of 90-76. Tonight, NCU held on to defeat the Lions 104-95 to secure the region title. The Rams dominated the first half and withstood a late surge from their opponent to clinch the win, advancing with momentum toward the NCCAA DII National Championships.
The Rams set the tone early, exploding for 57 points in the first half while limiting the Lions to just 33. NCU's offensive efficiency was on full display, shooting an impressive 63.9% from the field and knocking down 9-14 (64.3%) from beyond the arc. Their relentless attack saw multiple players stepping up, with junior
Carrington McNeal leading the charge with 11 first-half points, including three timely three-pointers.
Cameron Thomas and
Carmello McNeal also made their presence felt early, combining for 18 points and controlling the tempo on both ends of the court. The Rams' defensive intensity stifled the Lions, forcing key turnovers and limiting their shooting efficiency to 38.2% in the opening period. By halftime, North Central held a commanding 24-point lead, 57-33, showcasing their ability to dominate on both ends of the floor.
Despite NCU's comfortable lead at the break, the Lions fought back in the second half, scoring an astonishing 62 points in a desperate attempt to mount a comeback. However, the Rams remained composed, maintaining their offensive efficiency even as the Lions found their rhythm.
Carmello McNeal continued his stellar performance, finishing with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Cameron Thomas followed closely behind with a season-high 20 points and 7 rebounds, providing critical baskets to keep the Rams ahead. Junior
Remy Wedgeworth-Brown was instrumental in distributing the ball, dishing out 8 total assists while adding 16 points of his own. Although Trinity Bible increased their shooting percentage to 60% in the second half and eventually cut the lead to just 7, North Central's early cushion proved too much to overcome. The Rams responded with timely bickets and clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the game at 104-95.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
With this victory, North Central will now set their sights on the NCCAA DII National Championships hosted by Crown College from March 13-14. The Rams will take the court on March 13th as they take on #8 ranked Champion Christian College
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