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Remy Wedgeworth-Brown
Kaitlyn Havens, @havens_sports_photos
83
Martin Luther MLC 8-12,2-4 UMAC
86
Winner North Central (MN) NCU 5-14,3-3 UMAC
Martin Luther MLC
8-12,2-4 UMAC
83
Final
86
North Central (MN) NCU
5-14,3-3 UMAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Martin Luther MLC 28 44 11 83
North Central (MN) NCU 32 40 14 86

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Triple-Double From Wedgeworth-Brown, Big Night From Effertz Fuel OT Win

Minneapolis, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) men's basketball team delivered a much-needed result Wednesday night, grinding out an 86-83 overtime victory in a UMAC Conference battle against the Martin Luther College (MLC) Knights inside the Clark-Danielson Gymnasium. Coming off a string of tough finishes, the Rams showed resilience on their home floor, making key plays late to snap the streak and boost momentum moving forward. Senior guard Remy Wedgeworth-Brown put on a show, recording a triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. This was the Rams' first triple-double since 2016, when Travis Voight recorded a triple-double against Arlington Baptist. Junior forward Jax Effertz also lit up the scoreboard with a career high 25 points with 5 made threes. 

North Central set the tone early with pace and perimeter shooting, jumping out to an early advantage behind junior forward Jax Effertz, who knocked down multiple three-pointers in transition to give the Rams early separation. Effertz opened the game on a 10-0 run single-handedly. Senior guard Carmello McNeal helped orchestrate the offense, finding teammates for open looks while pushing the tempo. Despite stretches of cold shooting, NCU stayed aggressive on the glass and forced timely turnovers to maintain control. The Rams finished the half with a late surge, capped by strong ball movement and another deep triple from sophomore Ari Pierson, taking a 32-28 lead into the break.

The second half featured multiple momentum swings as the contest tightened. Senior guard Carrington McNeal attacked downhill, scoring in the paint and drawing fouls to keep the Rams within striking distance during extended back-and-forth stretches. Effertz continued to stretch the floor, while senior guard Remy Wedgeworth-Brown made his impact felt across the stat sheet with rebounds and assists. North Central leaned on its depth, getting timely contributions from guard Ari Pierson and senior forward Josh Hoffman, who each connected from beyond the arc and around the rim. With the game tied in the closing seconds, the Rams defended well and forced overtime after regulation ended knotted at 72-72.

In overtime, NCU delivered its best basketball of the night. Effertz drilled a clutch three-pointer, while Wedgeworth-Brown and Hoffman converted critical plays in the paint. The Rams were flawless at the free-throw line in the extra period, sealing the game by going 4-for-4 at the stripe. Defensively, North Central came up with stops and rebounds when it mattered most, closing out the 86-83 victory.

Top Performers: 
Looking Ahead:

Up next, NCU returns to the road for a UMAC matchup against the UW-Superior Yellowjackets on Saturday, January 31st. Tip-off is set for 4:45 PM inside the Mertz Mortorelli Gymnasium in Superior, WI.

All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) pages for updates on men's basketball and all things NCU Athletics.
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