POWERS - The North Central boys stepped up their defense when they most needed it Saturday night, outlasting Superior Central 65-60.
The Cougars went ahead 60-58 with 1:25 left when senior Bryce Richard sank a jump shot from the lane.
Then NC freshman Caleb Martin put his team ahead for good with a layup and free throw three-point play just eight seconds later.
Sophomore Rob Granquist added a pair of free throws with 42.1 seconds remaining and junior Travis Vincent ended the scoring on a putback with 18 seconds left.
Senior Trevor Maki scored a season-high 30 points for the Cougars (5-4 overall, 2-1 Central U.P. Conference). Matt Verbrigghe hit 11 and Dan Steward had 10.
Superior Central won the JV game 51-50.