Jan. 15, 2009 - The North Central College men's basketball team improved its College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin record to an unblemished 3-0 on Thursday, outdistancing Millikin University (Ill.), 66-55, at Gregory Arena. 

The Cardinals (11-3) and top-ranked Wheaton College (Ill.) are now the lone unbeaten teams remaining in the CCIW.

North Central's offense was jumpstarted on Thursday by Chris Drennan (Sr., Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community), who put up the first 12 points for the home team and staked the Cardinals to a 12-4 advantage after 5:25 had elapsed. A layup by Matt Rogers (Sr., Rochelle, Ill./Rochelle) with 2:46 remaining gave North Central its largest lead of the half at 31-19, but a 9-2 run at the end of the period narrowed Millikin's deficit to 33-28 at halftime.

The Big Blue (10-3, 1-2 CCIW) put together another 9-2 rally at the start of the second period, taking its first lead at 37-35. A putback by David Twyman (Jr., Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook), however, tied the score and sparked an 11-0 North Central surge, putting the Cardinals ahead, 46-37, with 10:33 on the clock.

The Cardinals never endured a legitimate threat from then on, as point guard Dean Prince (Sr., Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) shredded Millikin's full-court pressure for a pair of layups late in the game and the home team made 7 of 10 free throws in the final minute.

Drennan finished with team highs of 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Rogers and Mitch Raridon (Sr., Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Northeast) each scored 11 points and Reid Barringer (Jr., Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) scored 10. Barringer made three three-point field goals, moving him into fourth place in North Central history with 137 for his career.

Brandon Bright and Robert Burton paced Millikin with 11 points each.

North Central travels to take on 11th-ranked Augustana College (11-4, 2-2) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.