FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Dec. 3, 2008 - The North Central College men's basketball team lost a nip-and-tuck battle with the No. 2-ranked team in NCAA Division III on Wednesday, as the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks escaped Gregory Arena with a 62-54 victory.
The Cardinals (3-2) hung tough with their visitors throughout the contest, but were undone by a few key plays down the stretch that allowed UW-Whitewater some breathing room.
The Warhawks led by as many as 10 points in the first half before a three-point play by Reid Barringer (Jr., Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) sparked a 6-2 run to close the half, sending North Central into halftime with just a six-point deficit at 31-25. Barringer and Mitch Raridon (Sr., Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Northeast) opened the second half with three-pointers to help narrow the gap to four points at 35-31.
After Matt Rogers (Sr., Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle) sank two free throws to leave the hosts behind by just a 43-40 count with 13:49 left to play, Whitewater (6-0) scored seven straight points to pull ahead by double digits once again. The Cardinals, however, countered with seven unanswered points of their own to climb back into contention.
North Central trailed, 54-51, with under a minute to play, when a personal foul and a technical foul were assessed on the home team, permitting the Warhawks to shoot four straight free throws. UW-Whitewater sank all four attempts, building what would prove to be an insurmountable lead.
Barringer led the Cardinals with 15 points and a career-high six rebounds, while Chris Drennan (Sr., Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) scored 12, Rogers scored 11, and Raridon finished with 10.
Myles McKay paced the Warhawks with 15 points, and Billy Kolinskie totaled 11.
The Cardinals host Lake Forest College (Ill.) on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
