Notables
-NCU out-scored CSS 16-8 in the final five minutes.
-CSS was 4-for-23 from beyond the arc
-Points in the Paint: CSS 40, NCU 28
-Free Throws: CSS 13-20, NCU 18-22
-NCU has won three straight vs. CSS

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MINNEAPOLIS (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica men's basketball team saw itself in another Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) first place battle on Saturday at North Central University, but this time was on the wrong end of a 76-71 final.
 
Tight First Half
The first 20 minutes of play saw eight ties and 11 lead changes. The Rams had a six-point lead in the first six minutes of action, but that would be the largest lead for either team in the half. The Saints held a three-point lead late, before North Central hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 35-35 at halftime.
 
The Saints shot 38 percent from the field in the half, while North Central was 44 percent. CSS had a 21-19 edge on the glass, including eight offensive rebounds. Joel Cline had 17 of North Central's 35 points in the half.
 
CSS in Front for much of the Second Half
A Zach Dahlman (Braham, Minn./Braham HS) layup gave CSS a six-point lead four minutes in. The Rams scored the next eight points to take a two-point lead, but the Saints scored the next seven to go back up by five following an Andrew Laughlin (Duluth, Minn./Duluth Central HS) layup with 11:18 remaining.
 
North Central Pulls Ahead Late
St. Scholastica maintained the lead until a Cline layup gave North Central a 64-63 lead with three minutes to go. After Connor Gray (Superior, Wis./Superior HS) made 1-of-2 free throws to tie the game, the Rams connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to go up by six.
 
Julius Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) made it a one-point game with under 20 seconds to go. North Central made both free throws on the other end to make it 74-71 with under 10 seconds left. The Saints would get one look from three to tie the game, but it was off the mark and North Central came out with the 76-71 victory.
 
Both teams were 13-for-30 from the floor in the second half, but the Rams made three more 3-pointers. CSS was 8-of-13 from the free throw line, while North Central was 10-of-12 in the half. The Saints committed seven turnovers in the half, but had a 23-16 advantage on the glass.
 
Top Performances for CSS
Brandon Newman (Barnum, Minn./Barnum HS) had 15 points and seven rebounds. Dahlman added 12 points and also grabbed seven rebounds. Laughlin had 10 points off the bench.
 
Top Performances for NCU
Cline led all scorers with 24 points and also had 15 rebounds. Cody Martin had 15 points, including 10 in the second half. Jared High also had 15 points off the bench.
 
Up Next
The Saints (10-6, 6-2 UMAC) return to the Reif Gymnasium next weekend when it hosts Bethany Lutheran College at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.