Ellendale, ND -- Entering the final game of the NCCAA Regional Tournament, the North Central University (NCU) women's basketball team Ray Ulmer Field House one last time to take on the #5 Crown College Polars in the 2026 NCCAA North Region Regional Championship game. Set to face a familiar conference opponent, the Rams looked to secure a regional championship and strengthen their seed for the upcoming national tournament. North Central used a dominant middle stretch of the game to take control, defeating Crown 58-40 to capture their fourth straight regional title.
North Central opened the game aggressively on the defensive end, forcing early misses while looking to settle into its offense. Senior guard
Brycelyn Brewster got the Rams on the board with a three-pointer assisted by senior guard
Lydia Schroeder, tying the game early. Moments later, senior guard
Jackie Lindsay scored inside to give the Rams their first lead of the night. Senior forward
Moriah McLendon added a mid-range jumper to extend the advantage as NCU worked to control the tempo. The Rams battled on the glass throughout the opening period, with Lindsay and McLendon securing key rebounds to limit second chances. Despite solid defensive pressure and early scoring opportunities, North Central trailed narrowly at the end of the quarter 12-10.
The Rams flipped the momentum completely in the second quarter with one of their strongest stretches of the night. North Central tightened its defense and began converting on the offensive end, opening the frame with a strong run. McLendon sparked the surge with back-to-back baskets, while Schroeder added another bucket to extend the lead. Junior guard
NiNi Davenport drilled a three-pointer midway through the quarter off an assist from
Kaye Serapio, giving the Rams additional breathing room. North Central continued to build its advantage as McLendon dominated offensively, scoring multiple baskets during the quarter. Brewster capped the half in emphatic fashion by knocking down a three-pointer in the final seconds, sending the Rams into halftime with double-digit momentum at 28-18.
North Central carried its momentum into the third quarter and delivered its most explosive offensive stretch of the night. McLendon opened the scoring with another bucket, pushing the Rams' lead further into double digits. Sophomore forward
Olivia Beach added a key basket off an assist from Lindsay, while Schroeder connected on a three-pointer that ignited the bench and extended the Rams' run. Serapio also made her mark during the period, knocking down two three-pointers that helped push the lead past 15 points. Davenport followed with a strong finish in the paint before McLendon capped the quarter with another basket to maintain control. By the end of the third quarter, North Central had built a commanding 49-31 advantage behind balanced scoring and strong defensive rebounding.
With a comfortable lead entering the final frame, the Rams focused on maintaining control and closing out the championship victory. Brewster opened the quarter with another three-pointer to keep momentum firmly on North Central's side. Serapio added a jumper midway through the quarter, while Davenport scored inside to extend the lead even further. North Central's defense remained disciplined, limiting offensive opportunities and forcing difficult shots throughout the final minutes. The Rams stretched their advantage to as many as 20 points before closing out the contest with strong rebounding and efficient possession management. When the final buzzer sounded, North Central secured the regional title with a decisive 58-40 victory.
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Looking Ahead:
Up next, NCU will head back to Minnesota for the
NCCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship Tournament, hosted by Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN. The #6 Rams take on the #3 Calvary University Warriors next Thursday, March 12th, at 4:00 PM.
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