Women's Basketball Takes Two at AG Credit Union Classic

ELLENDALE, N.D.-- North Central Women's Basketball claimed two wins during their weekend trip to Trinity Bible College for the three day Assemblies of God Credit Union Classic. NCU defeated Central Bible College and Trinity Bible College before falling to Valley Forge Christian College in the championship game on Saturday morning. The Rams got outstanding play from several individual players including junior Amber Hutton and freshman Hope Sevlie who were each named to the AGCU Classic All-Tournament Team.

Play opened on Thursday afternoon with the Rams (3-9) dominating Central Bible College (Springfield, Mo.) for a 62-28 win. NCU sprinted out to a 28-10 halftime lead and never looked back. Hope Sevlie (Red Wing, Minn.) led the Rams with 16 points while pulling down 6 rebounds. Sophomore Deb Rowland (Milaca, Minn.) posted 10 points and sophomore Charity Bowers (Milwaukee, Wis.) grabbed a game high 10 boards in the NCU win.

Friday NCU battled host Trinity Bible College in a back and forth game that saw NCU pull away late for a 71-61 win.  The victory gave NCU its first win within the NCCAA DII North Central Region and also marked the emergence of Hope Sevlie as a force with in region play. Sevlie scored 21 points and pulled down 12 points while recording 4 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals. The Rams win was far from a single player effort as three other Rams joined Sevlie in double digit scoring. Juniors Caitlin Jusczak (Moose Lake, Minn.) and Amber Hutton (Rice, Minn.) each scored 12 points and Deb Rowland scored in double figures for the second straight game chipping in 10. 

Saturday the Rams faced off with Valley Forge Christian College (Phoenixville, Pa.) who came in as the sixth ranked team in all of NCCAA DII. North Central stood toe-to-toe with the Patriots from wire to wire before falling 71-67. Hope Sevlie scored a season and career high 29 points while pulling down 8 boards, blocking 3 shots and picking up 3 steals. Caitlin Jusczak added 13 points. 

With outstanding individual performances Hope Sevlie and Amber Hutton were named to the All-Tournament team. Sevlie averaged 22 points and over 8 rebounds per game and Hutton averaged over seven points per game while notching an outstanding 14-4 assist to turnover ratio during the three games.  

The Rams return to action tonight in a road tilt with Upper Midwest Athletic Conference opponent Minnesota-Morris. The game is set for a 5:30 tip off.