Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

CCIW Press Release

Feb. 22, 2016 – Exploding with 16 of her career-high 27 points in the fourth quarter in North Central College's 11-point fourth quarter comeback over North Park University on Saturday, Mayson Whipple was selected as College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women's basketball player of the week on Monday.

Whipple took over on the offensive end of the court during the fourth quarter of Saturday's contest at North Park, as the comeback victory clinched a spot in the CCIW Tournament for the second consecutive season.  North Central trailed by 11 points with 6:51 to play in the contest, but outscored the Vikings by 16 over the final 10 minutes to earn a 105-100 victory.  Finishing 10-for-17 from the field, the sophomore guard only missed one shot inside the three-point arch all evening and shot 6-of-8 from the field in the fourth quarter, as well as making three of four free throw attempts.

In addition to her 27 points, Whipple led the team with nine rebounds and five assists, as her 129 assists so far this season rank sixth on the program's single-season list and her 189 career assists rank seventh.  She also added her first block of the season and it could not have come at a bigger moment, stuffing a three-point attempt on North Park's final possession as the Cardinals held a 103-100 advantage.

North Central will square of against No. 2 seed Illinois Wesleyan University in the CCIW Tournament opener on Friday, Feb. 26 at 5 p.m., inside Wheaton College's King Arena.  The Thunder earned the No. 1 seed to earn the right to host and will take on No. 4 seed Elmhurst College at 7 p.m.  Links to live coverage are available HERE.