Minneapolis, MN -- The North Central University (NCU) men's basketball team returned back to Minneapolis for another Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) matchup against the University of Minnesota Morris (UMM) Cougars. After a commanding win over Crown College on Saturday, the Rams followed that up with an impressive 89-78 victory over MN-Morris to make it four straight conference wins. 

North Central wasted no time setting the tone offensively. Senior guard Carrington McNeal opened the scoring with a strong jumper and quickly followed with a three-pointer off an assist from junior forward Jax Effertz, giving the Rams early momentum. The Rams' perimeter shooting proved to be the difference maker in the opening half. Senior guard Remy Wedgeworth-Brown caught fire from deep, drilling multiple threes during a pivotal mid-half stretch. After back-to-back triples from Wedgeworth-Brown and junior guard Ari Pierson, North Central built an eight-point advantage. Senior forward and current "Ram of the Week, Jacob Becher, provided a massive spark off the bench, knocking down consecutive three-pointers to extend the Rams' lead to 36-28. That burst energized the home crowd and highlighted the team's depth. North Central shot a solid 48% from the field and a blistering 60% (9-for-15) from three-point range in the first half. The Rams closed the half on another strong push, capped by a three from senior guard Carmello McNeal and a late free throw from Carrington McNeal. NCU led 43-36 at the half. 

The Rams carried their offensive efficiency into the second half. Senior forward Elijah Smith converted inside early, and Carrington McNeal continued attacking downhill, finishing through contact and hitting a fastbreak three to stretch the lead. Midway through the half, North Central's defense turned into offense. Carmello McNeal recorded a steal that led to a fastbreak layup, and moments later Carrington McNeal threw down an emphatic dunk in transition off a Wedgeworth-Brown assist, pushing the lead to nine. Junior guard Jayden Livingston delivered one of the biggest shots of the night, knocking down a corner three to extend the margin to 11 points at the 11:19 mark. From there, the Rams maintained control by attacking the paint and converting at the free throw line. North Central shot an even better 56% in the second half and finished the night at 52% from the field and 50% (13-for-26) from beyond the arc. Carrington McNeal sealed the game in the final minute, knocking down free throws to secure the double-digit victory at 89-78.

Top Performers: 

• Carrington McNeal: 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists
• Remy Wedgeworth-Brown: 17 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds
• Carmello McNeal: 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists

Looking Ahead:

Up next, NCU heads across the Mississippi on Saturday February 14th to take on University of Northwestern. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM inside the Ericksen Center in St. Paul, MN.

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