MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team tipped off at North Central University for an afternoon conference match-up. While the Eagles held a five-point lead after three quarters of action, the Rams put together a 32-point fourth quarter to seal a 65-57 final win.
 
In a game that featured six lead changes, the Eagles started strong – winning the first quarter of play 11-5. The Rams put a halt to the Northwestern offense in the second quarter, holding the Eagles to just four points to regain the lead.
 
UNW rallied in the third sparked by three straight three-pointers – two from Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) and one from Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) to go up 37-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Eagles held a one-point lead with just over three minutes remaining following a jumper by Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow), but were held scoreless for three straight minutes down the stretch as North Central took over.
 
Amy Berglund (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) led Northwestern offensively, finishing with 20 points. Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) added 12 points, five assists and a team-best seven rebounds, while Brooklyn DeKam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) added 10 points on the night.
 
The Eagles fell short in the rebounding battle, pulling down 24 to North Central's 40.
 
Northwestern moves to 8-10 overall, 4-5 in conference play. The Rams improve to 10-7 on the year, 4-5 in the UMAC. The Eagles lead the all-time series against North Central, 58-2 and had won 22 straight prior to tonight's loss.
 
The purple-and-gold will return to action on Wednesday, January 23 when they host Crown College in mid-week UMAC action. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m. at the Ericksen Center.