Box Score MANKATO, Minn. - Bethany wanted to go out winners in their home finale Saturday evening, but North Central would not oblige as the Rams handed the Vikings an 87-75 setback in UMAC men's basketball action.

The difference in the game was North Central's hot shooting. The Rams shot 67 percent in the first half and didn't cool off in the second half shooting 61 percent for a scorching total of 64 percent for the game. It was hard for Bethany to keep up those numbers as they shot 39 percent for the game.

Despite the disparity in shooting percentage, the game was tied throughout the first half. Zach Brandts drained a 3 to give Bethany a 12-9 lead as the Vikings went on a 10-2 run. The Rams scored the next six points to regain a 3-point lead. Neil Eichten evened things up at 15 with a 3. Travis Voigt countered with a 3 to put NCU up 18-15. North Central stayed in the lead the rest of the half, but not by more than five and would take 42-39 lead into the locker room.

Brady Rose scored the first points of the second half to pull BLC within one at 42-41. North Central answered with an 8-0 run to put them up 50-41. Eichten later connected on another 3 to pull the Vikings within four at 50-46, but that would be all the closer they would get as the Rams would pull away for the double-digit victory.

The Vikings honored four student-athletes who played in their final home games Saturday: Luke Roddy (6 points), Dalton Kleinschmidt (5 points), Miles Kelson (4 points), and Jon Demcak (5 points).

Bethany (3-18, 3-7 in UMAC) next plays Friday at Crown.