Game of the Week: North Central at Minnesota Morris - Men's Basketball
UMAC Game of the Week Archives
ST. PAUL -- The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Game of the Week is a feature that takes place each week throughout the conference portion of the season with one contest being selected and highlighted as the UMAC Game of the Week.
This week's Game of the Week will take place on Saturday, January 30th at 3 p.m. as North Central University travels to the University of Minnesota Morris in men's basketball action. Minnesota Morris currently owns a 6-3 UMAC record, while North Central will enter the weekend at 7-2 in UMAC play. The last matchup between the two teams was a battle ending in just a two point victory for the Rams.
About the Cougars:
Minnesota Morris is home this weekend for a pair of big UMAC games. The Cougars face Northwestern on Friday before hosting North Central on Saturday in the UMAC Game of the Week. Morris lost to both on the road early in the UMAC season.The earlier game with the Rams was a tough two point loss for the Cougars, as North Central erased a 16 point second half deficit to beat the Cougars 82-80.
CD Douglas is leading the way for the Cougars this year with 20.9 points per game, and shooting an impressive 60 percent from the field; he is second in the UMAC in both categories. The Cougars will need to win on Saturday to avoid being swept by North Central in a season series for the first time. Morris is 1-0 all-time in the UMAC Game of the Week.
About the Rams:
North Central comes into the weekend looking to rebound in conference play after a tough loss to Northland College at home last Friday. Prior to that loss the Rams went 7-1 in the first half of the UMAC schedule, establishing NCU alone atop the conference standings. During that opening stretch the Rams defeated the University of Northwestern for the first time since 2010, stopping the Eagles conference winning streak that spanned over two seasons. The Rams bounced back with a non-conference victory over Finlandia University the night following their loss to the Lumberjacks, but this weekend will mark their first conference action since their most recent defeat.
Success for North Central is centered around a balanced offensive attack with six players averaging double-figure scoring. The Rams are also currently the most efficient shooting team in the conference, shooting a league high 475 field goal attempts but firing a UMAC-best .402 from the floor. North Central has been led in individual game scoring by six different players this season. Currently Joel Cline lead the Rams in scoring and rebounding on the year with 15.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest. NCU also shares the ball well averaging a league high 16.8 assists per game. Defensively the Rams have held teams to a .436 shooting percentage from the floor while allowing 76.1 points per game, both third in the league.
Game Notes:
- NCU senior Cody Martin is currently tied with the Cougars CD Douglas for the league lead in assists per game (5.4) but has posted 8.0 APG over the last four games.
- The Cougars are 9-2 when holding the opponent to under 45% shooting.
- NCU senior Josh High comes into the weekend needing 8 more 3PTM to set the NCU record while already shooting a Rams career record pace .410 percentage.
- UMM's CD Douglas has scored in double figures every game this year.
- In their last matchup UMM outscored the Rams 24-8 in the paint in the first half, but North Central would score 26 points in the paint during their second half comeback to defeat the Cougars.
- Ram freshman Jared High currently leads the UMAC in 3PT percentage shooting an even .500 on the year (46-92).
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