FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
CHICAGO (Dec. 9, 2008)- Robert Morris College-Chicago used a 23-point run midway through the game to rally from a 14-point deficit, knocking off North Central College, 58-54, in a non-conference women's basketball game at the Gentile Center. Two Cardinals ended the night scoring in double figures with
Brianne Parra (Sr., Justice, Ill./Argo) leading the way with 13 points.
North Central charged to an early 12-2 lead thanks to Parra and Nicole Kemme (Sr., Teutopolis, Ill./Olney Central), who each scored six points in the early run. Robert Morris would bring the game within four at 16-12 with 8:20 left in the half before a 10-0 run extended the Cardinal lead to a game-high 14 points with 3:11 to go. The Eagles would respond with a rally of their own, clawing back to within two at the break, ending the half on a 12-0 run, trailing just 26-24 at intermission.
Robert Morris would continue their momentum in the second half, scoring the first 11 points to build a 35-26 lead with 16:37 to go. A pair of Jackie Errico (So., Blue Island, Ill./Marian Catholic) free throws finally broke up the Eagle run of 23 straight points. The Cardinals would whittle the nine-point lead down and actually retake the lead twice in the second half, but were unable to withstand a late 10-2 Eagle run, taking a seven point lead with under three minutes to play.
Parra ended the night leading the team in scoring, assists and steals, finishing with 13, six and three respectively. Gia Navarra (Sr., Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale Central) joined Parra in double figures with 10 points while Andrielle Baggett (So., Bellwood, Ill./Plainfield Central) led the Cardinals in rebounding with 10 boards in the game.
Tonesha Members and Jessica Harris led the Eagle scoring effort; each finishing with 19 points while Jerita Gordon picked up the game's lone double-double, scoring 13 points with 13 rebounds.
North Central outrebounded the Eagles (54 to 46) and outshot the Eagles (33.9 percent to 29.9 percent) but was unable to win the turnover battle (18-30).
With the loss, North Central falls 3-5 overall while Robert Morris-Chicago, an NAIA Division I institution, improves to 4-5 on the year. The Cardinals return to action on Saturday when they take on Loras College (Iowa) at 2 p.m. inside the friendly confines of Gregory Arena.
