Jan. 31, 2009 – Illinois Wesleyan University exploited an eight minute scoring drought by North Central College, turning a three-point deficit into a 10-point bulge as the Cardinals fell 65-55 to the top-ranked Titans in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin women's basketball game at Gregory Arena. Meghan McGuire (So., Elgin, Ill./Central) finished with her third double-double of the season in a game that saw eight ties and 13 lead changes.

A McGuire layup with 8:57 remaining gave the Cardinals their largest lead of the game at 53-50, before the team would go ice cold, shooting 0-for-12 from the field, allowing the Titans to score 13 unanswered to stave off the upset attempt and take a 10-point lead with just two minutes to play. North Central would not make another basket until a Brianne Parra (Sr., Argo, Ill./Justice) jumper with 36 seconds to play broke up the Titan run.

After the Titans scored seven consecutive points to take a 17-11 lead, the Cardinals would mount an offensive of their own; scoring nine straight to take a three-point lead with 9:41 to play in the first half. The teams would battle back and forth the remainder of the half with the Titans taking a two-point 35-33 lead into the break.

A Gia Navarra (Sr., Willowbrook, Ill./Hinsdale Central) three gave the Cardinals their first lead of the second half at 14:09 to play, erasing what was a five-point deficit. The two teams would trade baskets the next four minutes until a Christina Solari trey gave the visitors the three point lead. The Cardinals would respond once again, scoring six straight to take a 53-50 lead with 8:57 to go.

Navarra led the scoring charge for North Central, scoring 15 points, shooting five-for-eight from the floor with McGuire netting 10 points and 12 rebounds. Parra finished with 11 points after scoring the first seven points of the game for the Cardinals while Amber Cibrario (Sr., Elk Grove, Ill./Elk Grove) dished out a game-high seven assists. Jackie Errico (So., Blue Island, Ill./Marian Catholic) finished with 10 boards while chipping in six points, offensively.

Christina Solari finished the game with a double-double after grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring a game-high 27 points. 19 of her 27 points came in the first half. Hope Schulte and Claire Sheehan joined Solari in double figures, each chipping in 10 points.

With the loss, North Central falls to 8-9 on the season and 3-4 in CCIW action while Wesleyan, ranked No. 1 in both the D3Hoops.com and USA Today/ESPN Coaches Polls, improves to 18-0 and 8-0 in conference play. The Cardinals return to the hardwood on Tuesday, February 3, taking on Augustana College at 7:30 p.m. at Gregory Arena.