Minneapolis, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) men's basketball team arrived back at home for their first UMAC Conference matchup against the University of Northwestern (UNW) Eagles. Coming off a win over UW-Superior on Wednesday, the team looked to keep things rolling back in Clark-Danielson Gymnasium against a familiar foe. The Rams carried that confidence into this afternoon and delivered a complete team performance to secure an 84-77 victory in front of the home crowd.

North Central set the tone early with sharp ball movement and efficient shooting, jumping out to a quick lead in the opening minutes. Senior guard Carrington McNeal knocked down a three-pointer on the Rams' opening possessions, sparking an early run that put NCU in control. The Rams shot the ball extremely well from beyond the arc in the first half, connecting on 10 three-pointers and stretching the defense with consistent perimeter spacing. As the half progressed, NCU continued to apply pressure offensively, pushing the pace and capitalizing on transition opportunities. Senior guard Carmello McNeal attacked the rim and got to the free-throw line, while junior forward Jacob Becher came off the bench to provide a spark with timely three-point shooting. Becjer posted a career-high 9 points on the evening. North Central built its largest cushion late in the half behind strong ball movement and unselfish play, entering the locker room with a 44-32 advantage.

The Rams came out of the break with the same energy, opening the second half with a series of strong finishes at the rim from Carrington McNeal. North Central maintained a double-digit lead for much of the half, using defensive rebounds and forced turnovers to ignite fast-break chances. While Northwestern made several runs to cut into the margin, NCU responded each time with poise. Senior forward Elijah Smith anchored the interior defensively, recording multiple blocks and altering shots, while also contributing on the glass. Down the stretch, Carmello McNeal controlled the tempo, finishing through contact and converting key free throws to keep the Rams comfortably ahead. North Central shot nearly 50% from the field for the game and finished 12-of-27 from three-point range, showcasing balanced scoring and efficiency. Late free throws sealed the 84-77 win as the Rams closed out their second straight conference victory.

Top Performers:

• Carrington McNeal: 29 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals
• Carmello McNeal: 17 points and 5 rebounds
• Jacob Becher: 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists
• Elijah Smith: 5 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks
• Remy Wedgeworth-Brown: 8 points and 6 rebounds

Looking Ahead:

Up next, NCU hits the road to take on the University of Minnesota-Morris on Saturday, January 14th. Tip-off is set for 7:15 PM inside the James Gremmels Court in Morris, MN.

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.