Minneapolis, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) men's basketball team opened Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play in front of the home crowd on Wednesday night, welcoming conference action back to Clark-Danielson Gymnasium against the University of Wisconsin Superior (UWS) Yellowjackets. The Rams came into today's matchup desperate for a win, having lost the last 7 contests. NCU kicked off conference play with a wire-to-wire performance to secure a 78-72 home victory.
North Central wasted little time setting the tone, opening the game with confident ball movement and early defensive pressure. Senior guard
Remy Wedgeworth-Brown knocked down a three on the Rams' first possession, jump-starting an offensive rhythm that would carry throughout the half. The backcourt tandem of senior guards
Carrington McNeal and
Carmello McNeal consistently attacked downhill, combining for multiple paint finishes in transition as the Rams built an early cushion. NCU shot an efficient 58.1% from the field in the opening half, repeatedly capitalizing on fast-break chances and interior touches. Senior forward
Elijah Smith provided energy on both ends, facilitating offense and igniting transition opportunities with active defense. A balanced scoring effort allowed the Rams to keep control despite brief scoring runs from the visitors. By the final minutes of the half, North Central's depth showed as the bench contributed timely baskets to maintain separation. The Rams entered the locker room holding a 41-36 halftime lead.
The Rams picked up right where they left off, opening the second half with renewed defensive intensity. Smith connected on a three early in the period, and McNeal followed with consecutive strong takes to the rim, stretching the lead back to multiple possessions. North Central continued to punish turnovers, finishing the game with 16 points off turnovers while limiting second-chance opportunities. As the game tightened midway through the half, NCU leaned on poise and execution. Junior forward
Jax Effertz delivered timely scoring, including a pair of late three-pointers that steadied the Rams during key moments. Wedgeworth-Brown and Smith controlled tempo, combining for key assists as North Central shot 54.2% in the second half and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line on the night. Down the stretch,
Carrington McNeal sealed the game at the stripe, capping off a team effort that featured 46 points in the paint, 12 fast-break points, and a season-opening 1-0 start in UMAC play.
Top Performers:
Looking Ahead:
Up next, North Central remains at home as conference play continues with a matchup against the University of Northwestern on Saturday, January 10th. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM inside Clark-Danielson Gymnasium, as the Rams look to build on their strong UMAC opening win.
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