Minneapolis, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team opened Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play on Wednesday evening, hosting the University of Wisconsin-Superior (UWS) Yellowjackets inside the Clark-Danielson Gymnasium. Coming off a non-conference win, the Rams looked to build momentum and start conference action strong on their home floor. Despite consistent offensive production and strong individual performances, North Central ultimately fell by a final score of 84-60.
North Central came out with energy on both ends, attacking the paint early and moving the ball well offensively. Senior forward
Moriah McLendon led the Rams in the opening stretch with aggressive drives to the rim, while junior guard
NiNi Davenport knocked down a pair of early three-pointers to keep the game tight. The Rams stayed within striking distance through solid rebounding and balanced scoring before the visitors edged ahead late in the quarter to take a 23-18 lead.
The Rams continued to battle in the second quarter, stringing together stops and converting in transition. Senior guard
Brycelyn Brewster provided a spark with timely finishes inside, while McLendon remained a consistent scoring presence. North Central shot efficiently from the field during the period and cut into the deficit multiple times, but the Yellowjackets answered with runs of their own to maintain a slim advantage at 40-32 heading into halftime. UWS stretched their lead to 61-48 entering the final frame.
Out of the break, North Central delivered its strongest stretch of the night. The Rams emphasized ball movement and pace, leading to quality looks both inside and from beyond the arc. Senior guard
Jackie Lindsay facilitated the offense, while freshman forward
Keiley Mahseet provided scoring off the bench. North Central briefly trimmed the margin to single digits as McLendon continued to score at all three levels, finishing the night with a team-high 19 points.
The Rams continued to compete in the fourth, showing resilience and depth as multiple players contributed down the stretch. Davenport added another three-pointer, while Brewster and Mahseet attacked the paint to generate points and free-throw opportunities. North Central also received quality minutes from its bench, finishing with 18 bench points on the night. Despite the effort, the early deficit proved too much to overcome as the game reached its final horn, the Rams falling 84-60.
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Looking Ahead:
Up next, NCU remains at home as the Rams prepare to host the University of Northwestern this Saturday, January 10th. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM inside the Clark-Danielson Gymnasium.
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