Minneapolis, MN -- Saturday afternoon marked the regular season finale and Senior Day inside Clark-Danielson Gymnasium as the North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team closed out the regular season campaign against undefeated conference foe in Bethany Lutheran College (BLC). Coming off a win versus Martin Luther on Wednesday and already having secured their postseason berth, the Rams looked to send their seniors out with momentum and attempt to spoil a perfect conference run. Despite a strong third-quarter surge, NCU ultimately fell 92-65

North Central came out aggressive, striking first when senior forward Moriah McLendon knocked down a three-pointer to give the Rams an early 3-2 lead. McLendon, who finished with a game-high 23 points on 9-of-13 shooting, set the tone offensively from the opening possession. The Rams battled inside early, with senior guard Brycelyn Brewster attacking the paint and senior guard Jackie Lindsay connecting from beyond the arc. Lindsay hit two first-quarter threes, while Brewster added a late layup to keep the Rams within striking distance, trailing 21-13 after one. 

The Rams responded with poise in the second. McLendon scored in transition and converted tough finishes in the paint, while Brewster added a mid-range jumper and two free throws to chip away at the deficit. NCU showed resilience defensively, forcing turnovers and converting points inside. Senior guard Lydia Schroeder contributed timely buckets and solid defense, while junior guard NiNi Davenport provided energy off the bench. The Rams improved their shooting to 42.9% in the quarter and went 5-of-7 (71.4%) from the free-throw line. Despite their efforts, the Vikings maintained a steady pace offensively to hold a 44-30 lead.

McLendon continued to dominate inside, while Brewster and Schroeder added key baskets to keep the momentum alive. Schroeder connected on a fast-break three and later added a tip-in, helping NCU cut into the margin. Davenport scored on back-to-back possessions midway through the quarter, and the Rams showed grit on the glass with second-chance opportunities. NCU totaled 22 points in the period, making it their highest-scoring quarter of the game. Despite this increased scoring, the Rams still trailed 68-52 heading into the fourth.

The Rams continued to compete down the stretch, highlighted by paint finishes from McLendon and Brewster. Lindsay added another driving layup, and Schroeder remained active defensively and on the boards. Despite North Central's effort, Bethany Lutheran capitalized on perimeter shooting in the final frame. North Central eventually fell 68-52 to the visiting Bethany Lutheran College. 

Top Performers: 

• Moriah McLendon: 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals
• Brycelyn Brewster: 13 points and 2 rebounds
• Jackie Lindsay: 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists
• Lydia Schroeder: 8 points and 2 steals

Looking Ahead: 

Up next, North Central heads back on the road for postseason play as they face #1 Bethany Lutheran College in the UMAC Semifinals on Wednesday, February 25th. The matchup will take place in Mankato, MN, at the North Gym, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM.

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