MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-- In a battle of two hot teams North Central University was defeated 73-50 by Martin Luther College at home on Tuesday night. NCU had won three in a row and four of their last five going into the night while the Knights had won five in a row before their road win over the Rams. Just over half way through the first half MLC pulled away from North Central to sweep the season series with the Rams.
North Central found themselves down just 3 at the 8:55 mark of the first half before things came undone for the Rams. The Knights would go on a 15-5 run over the final 8 minutes of the half to earn a 33-20 lead heading into the locker rooms. Despite holding the Knights to just under 29 percent shooting from the floor NCU was doomed by a 27 percent first half shooting mark and the Rams would not get any closer than the 13 point difference they experienced at the half.
Junior guard Elisabeth Trickey (Waseca, Minn.) was the lone bright spot for the Rams, posting a double-double performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Her three steals also moved her to within 15 swipes of the North Central career steals record and she needs just 105 points to eclipse 1000.
Despite the disappointing loss the Rams are still 4-2 in the 2012 portion of their schedule.
NCU will be away from game competition until February 2 when the Rams travel to Waldorf College (Forest City, Iowa) for a 6 p.m. tip off with the Warriors of the NAIA Midwest Collegiate Conference.
The next NCU home game is February 7 with North Central hosting the University of Minnesota-Morris at 5:30 p.m. in the CLC Gymnasium.
