Mankato, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team continued its road stint with a UMAC matchup against the Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) Vikings on Saturday afternoon inside the North Gym in Mankato. Coming off a win, the Rams looked to carry momentum onto an opponent's court and battled throughout, highlighted by a career-high 29-point outing from senior captain Brycelyn Brewster. 

North Central opened the game competing on both ends, working to establish offensive rhythm early. Senior guard Brycelyn Brewster got the Rams on the board with a strong finish in the paint, setting the tone for an aggressive offensive approach. Senior forward Moriah McLendon added an early basket inside, while Senior guard Jackie Lindsay connected from beyond the arc to keep NCU within striking distance. Defensively, the Rams forced several contested shots and limited second-chance opportunities, holding the margin manageable after the opening frame, trailing 13-9. 

The Rams began to find more consistency offensively in the second quarter, leaning on Brewster's scoring ability and interior presence. Brewster knocked down a pair of three-pointers and attacked the rim effectively, accounting for the majority of NCU's points in the period. McLendon continued to battle inside, adding points in the paint and pulling down key rebounds. North Central shot 40% from three-point range in the quarter and closed the half with improved ball movement, keeping the game close at 26-23. 

North Central came out of the locker room with energy, as Brewster remained hot offensively, scoring both inside and from deep to briefly cut the deficit. McLendon added another strong stretch in the paint, while Senior guard Lydia Schroeder contributed on the defensive end with rebounds and active hands. Despite the Rams shooting over 38% from the floor in the quarter, a late run allowed the opponent to create separation at 47-36 heading into the final period.

The Rams continued to compete until the final buzzer, opening the fourth quarter with renewed intensity. Brewster once again led the charge, scoring from all three levels and getting to the free-throw line. Sophomore guard RaeLynn Robinson provided a spark off the bench with free throws and aggressive play, while Sophomore forward Olivia Beach added a key bucket in the paint. North Central finished the quarter shooting over 47% from the field and closed the game with a strong final stretch, highlighted by McLendon's late fast-break finish. The Rams ultimately fell 69-55 to the Vikings. 

Top Performers:

• Brycelyn Brewster: 29 points, 5 rebounds, and finished 12-of-16 from the floor
• Moriah McLendon: 13 points and 4 rebounds

Looking Ahead:

Up next, NCU returns home to host Martin Luther College on Wednesday, January 28th. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM inside Clark-Danielson Gymnasium in Minneapolis, MN.

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.