FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Feb. 21, 2009) - The North Central College women's basketball team became the 24th consecutive opponent to fall victim to the No. 1-ranked NCAA Division III program in the nation on Saturday, losing a 78-40 decision at Illinois Wesleyan University.
The Cardinals hung tough early, trailing by just one point after the first eight minutes, but IWU outscored the visitors, 16-5, over the next 10 minutes to move in front by double digits. Jessica Davis (Jr., Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young) converted a three-point play near the end of the period to send North Central into halftime trailing by a 27-18 count.
The Titans (24-0, 13-0 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) broke the game open in the first seven minutes of the second half, going on a 22-3 run while making 8 of 10 shots from the floor. Illinois Wesleyan kept the pressure on until the final buzzer, leading by as many as 40 points.
North Central (11-12, 6-7 CCIW) was led in scoring by Meghan McGuire (So., Elgin, Ill./Burlington Central), who totaled 15 points on 7 of 10 shooting. Jackie Errico (So., Blue Island, Ill./Marian Catholic) turned in a team-high six rebounds.
Mallory Heydorn was the Titans' top scorer with 20 points, while Christina Solari scored 14 and Kylie Castans finished with 11.
North Central will play its final game of the regular season on Tuesday, hosting Millikin University (Ill.) The Cardinals' seniors will be honored in a ceremony before tipoff.
