ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's basketball team trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half before bouncing back for a 73-70 victory over North Central University in a non-conference game Tuesday evening in the Leonard Center. The win gives the Scots a 3-0 record on the season, while the Rams fall to 1-2.

Macalester struggled offensively early in the first half, as North Central scored the first 11 points en route to a 21-3 lead with 11:45 on the clock. The Scots still trailed by 18 points, 29-11 at the 9:50 mark before starting their comeback. Sophomore guard Coby Gold (Denver, Colo./Kent Denver) scored seven points and sophomore forward Badou Ba (Dakar, Senegal/Williston Northampton) tallied six points, as Macalester closed out the half with a torrid 24-5 run to lead, 35-34 at halftime. The Scots were 8-of-13 from the field in the run while limiting the Rams to two baskets and a free throw.

Momentum stayed with the home team early in the second half, as Macalester opened the period on a 10-4 run to lead, 45-38. A three-pointer by first year guard Eric Wentz (Minot, N.D./Minot) and a basket from Ba pushed the lead to 52-40 with 15 minutes remaining. A 12-4 run by North Central brought the Rams to within four, 56-52 before a basket from junior guard Caleb Williams (Wild Rose, Wis./Wild Rose) and a three by Gold pushed the lead to nine, 61-52 with 9:35 to play.

Macalester led by 10 with 6:48 on the clock when North Central used a 16-7 run to make it a one-point game, 71-70 with 1:24 remaining. Williams made 1-of-2 from the line, then a defensive stop by the Scots and another free throw by Gold put Macalester on top, 73-70 with 11 seconds left. The Rams missed a three-pointer with time winding down, and the Scots held on to win.

Both teams shot the ball well from deep, with Macalester making 8-of-18 (.444) from beyond the arc compared to 12-of-29 (.414) for North Central. Gold led the Scots with 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from the line. Williams tallied 16 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals in a solid all-around effort. Ba finished with 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Micah Filer scored 27 points to lead the Rams.

Macalester opens MIAC play with a home game against Augsburg on Saturday, Nov. 19. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. in the Leonard Center.