Minneapolis, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) men's basketball team returned to the Clark-Danielson Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon for a pivotal conference matchup in the UMAC Game of the Week, earning an 86-83 victory over the Crown College (CC) Polars to move up to 2nd place in the UMAC standings. Coming off a strong road win earlier in the week, the Rams leaned on balanced scoring, timely defensive stops, and late-game composure to secure the home result.

North Central faced early pressure but settled in as the half progressed. The Rams trailed 14-2 to start off the night. Junior forward Jax Effertz got NCU back on track with a huge three-pointer around six minutes into the half. Senior guard Carmello McNeal jump-started the Rams offensively, knocking down perimeter shots and attacking in transition. Junior guard Jayden Livingston provided an immediate spark off the bench, scoring efficiently and helping NCU stay within striking distance. As the half wore on, senior guard Remy Wedgeworth-Brown began to control the tempo, facilitating offense and finishing through contact. Off the bench, junior forward Jacob Becher also made his presence felt around the rim, converting high-percentage looks and battling on the glass. Despite several lead changes, North Central closed the half strong and headed into the locker room trailing by just five at 45-40. 

The Rams emerged with renewed energy on both ends of the floor. McNeal continued his hot shooting, while senior guard Carrington McNeal delivered key baskets and defensive plays to help swing momentum. North Central's ball movement led to quality looks, and the Rams shot over 47% in the second half while getting to the free-throw line at a higher rate. Down the stretch, Wedgeworth-Brown repeatedly attacked the paint and converted from the line, while Becher knocked down timely shots and added key defensive stops. NCU's depth proved decisive, as the Rams outscored Crown 25-10 in bench points and forced critical turnovers late. Calm execution at the free-throw line in the final seconds from the McNeal's sealed the three-point victory at 86-83.

Top Performers: 

• Carmello McNeal: 26 points and 5 made threes
• Remy Wedgeworth-Brown: 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds
• Jacob Becher: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks
• Jayden Livingston: 11 points and 5 rebounds

Looking Ahead: 

Up next, NCU remains at home to take on the Minnesota Morris Cougars on Wednesday, February 11. Tip-off is set for 7:15 PM inside the Clark-Danielson Gymnasium in Minneapolis, 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.