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25-26 MBB UMAC Champions
Kaitlyn Havens, @havens_sports_photos
96
Bethany Lutheran BLC 14-11,7-5 UMAC
102
Winner North Central (MN) NCU 11-14,9-3 UMAC
Bethany Lutheran BLC
14-11,7-5 UMAC
96
Final
102
North Central (MN) NCU
11-14,9-3 UMAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Bethany Lutheran BLC 43 53 96
North Central (MN) NCU 48 54 102

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Men's Basketball Captures UMAC Title on Senior Night in Regular Season Finale

Minneapolis, MN -- With the conference title on the line, the North Central University men's basketball team delivered a championship-caliber performance Saturday afternoon inside Clark-Danielson Gymnasium. Behind a historic shooting display and balanced production, the Rams defeated Bethany Lutheran College (BLC) 102-96 to secure their second consecutive Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Regular Season Championship and clinch the No. 1 seed in the UMAC Postseason Tournament. Senior guard Carmello McNeal had a career night, tallying a career high 40 points, a mark that is tied for 6th most in program history. 

The Rams came out aggressive offensively, quickly finding their rhythm from deep. Senior guard Carmello McNeal buried a three-pointer at the 18:13 mark to even the score early, igniting what would become a dominant shooting half. Moments later, senior guard Carrington McNeal connected from beyond the arc to give North Central its first lead, and the Rams never looked back. Senior guard Remy Wedgeworth-Brown added a three-pointer of his own during a key 14-4 run that stretched the margin to double digits. Carmello McNeal caught fire midway through the half, knocking down four first-half threes, including back-to-back triples that pushed the Rams ahead by 14. North Central shot 50.0% from the floor and an incredible 55.6% (10-of-18) from deep in the opening 20 minutes while forcing turnovers that led to transition opportunities. Senior forward Josh Hoffman provided a strong spark off the bench, finishing through contact inside and cleaning up rebounds to keep possessions alive. By halftime, North Central held a 48-43 lead, powered by 10 first-half three-pointers and efficient offensive execution

The Rams wasted no time extending their lead after the break. Carrington McNeal attacked the rim for a pair of early baskets, while senior guard Jaquan Adams converted key free throws to stabilize momentum. About halfway through the half, Hoffman brought the house down with a baseline slam that ignited the Rams fans. Carmello McNeal continued his remarkable afternoon, scoring from all three levels. A fastbreak three-pointer at the 7:02 mark capped off a scoring surge that pushed the Rams' lead to 16. His confidence from deep forced defensive adjustments, opening driving lanes for teammates. Adams was instrumental down the stretch, finishing through contact and knocking down clutch free throws. He scored 10 second-half points and went 7-of-10 from the free-throw line overall. The Rams went on to secure their first-ever outright UMAC Regular Season Title with a 102-96 win over Bethany Lutheran.

Top Performers: 
Looking Ahead: 

With the No. 1 seed secured and back-to-back conference titles in hand, North Central will host a rematch with No. 4 seed Bethany Lutheran College in the UMAC Semifinals on Wednesday, February 25th, inside Clark-Danielson Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM as the Rams begin their postseason pursuit with championship momentum on their side.

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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