MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – The University of Northwestern women's basketball team traveled into the city to take on the North Central Rams. The game featured consistent back-and-forth scoring as the Rams managed to come out on top, securing the 61-59 final win.

Northwestern falls to 9-7 overall and 5-2 in the UMAC, while North Central moves to 7-8 overall and 4-3 in conference action.

Saturday evening play began with a Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) drive where she was fouled and made two free throws to go up by two. Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) helped out defensively right off the bat, coming up with a huge block. The Eagles would score on their next possession before North Central got on the board with a basket.

North Central's biggest lead of the quarter was seven, but with time expiring, the Eagles would battle back to tie the score at 18 on a Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) three pointer.

Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) started the second quarter strong, draining a layup while drawing a foul to covert the three point play. Northwestern was able to put together their largest lead of the night (six) before North Central fought back to cut the lead to one with two minutes left. With seconds to go, North Central would swish two free throws to go up by two at the half, 34-32.

Second half play continued to feature back and forth scoring. With six minutes left in the third, Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine) made a corner three to put the Eagles up by one (39-38). North Central would answer yet again with a bucket of their own. In the final minute of the third, the Rams were up by three before Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) scored a basket to close the North Central lead to one, 49-48.

In the last two and a half minutes of action, the Rams scored their first points since the beginning of the fourth to go up by three, 59-56. Northwestern took the floor setting up in a full court press, down by one with time running out. A Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) foul would send the Rams to the line, where they would connect on both.

With the clock ticking, the Eagles were unable to get a shot to go, falling to the Rams 61-59.

Kelsea Lund (Madison, Minn./La qui Parle Valley) led the Eagles with 18 point, while Rio Landers (Grand Meadow, Minn./Grand Meadow) added 11 and Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) finished with nine.

Northwestern will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 22 when they host the UW-Superior Yellowjackets. Tip-off is slated for 7:15 p.m. Follow the Eagles on Instagram and Twitter at @unwwbb.