Nov. 21, 2008 - The North Central College women's basketball team was thoroughly dominant in its 2008-2009 home opener on Friday, blowing past Marian University (Wis.), 84-53, in the first round of the Holiday Inn Select Tip-Off Tournament at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals rolled to a 17-3 lead in the first six minutes of play and never trailed, pulling ahead by as many as 22 points before heading into halftime ahead, 44-26. North Central owned a 26-8 rebounding edge in the first 20 minutes, and were led in scoring at the break by Gia Navarra (Sr., Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale Central), who tallied 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

The hosts' lead swelled as large as 36 points down the stretch in the second half as the Cardinals continued to impose their will on the boards, outrebounding the Sabers, 51-23.

Meghan McGuire (So., Elgin, Ill./Elgin Central) posted a double-double for North Central, totaling 20 points and 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes. Navarra finished with 14 points and four steals, while Jessica Davis (Jr., Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young) and Andrielle Baggett (So., Bellwood, Ill./Plainfield Central) each scored 13 points. Jackie Errico (So., Blue Island, Ill./Montini Catholic) handed out a team-high five assists.

Coleen Moody was Marian's lone double-figure scorer, putting up 20 points.

North Central advances to Saturday's championship game against St. Ambrose University (Iowa), which defeated Webster University (Mo.), 97-66, in Friday's first semifinal. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.