FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score

DECATUR, Ill. (Jan. 16, 2010) -- Host Millikin University led wire-to-wire, defeating North Central College, 81-59, in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin women's basketball game at the Griswold Center. Two Cardinals finished the night in double figures, led by Latrice Newson's 15-point effort.

The Big Blue accumulated seven of the game's first eight points, leading by as many as 15 in the opening half, settling on a 38-26 lead at the break. Millikin would maintain at least a 10-point buffer the entire second half en route to the 22-point victory.

Newson spearheaded the Cardinal offensive attack, finishing with 15 points while shooting a perfect six-for-six from the charity stripe. Christine Karl chipped in 12 points and a team-high seven assists while Jackie Errico finished one point and one rebound shy of her second double-double of the season, finishing with nine points and nine boards. Brittany James added nine points along with a team-high three steals.

Elise Wildman paced the home side, finishing with a game-high 25 points and 10 rebounds. Kaitlin Brassil chipped in 22 points off the bench while Cecily Aldridge added 18 for the Big Blue.

North Central shot 38.2 percent (21-for-55) from the floor but were unable to keep pace with the Big Blue who shot a red-hot 50.8 percent (30-for-59) from the field.

With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 3-12 overall and 0-4 in CCIW action while Millikin improves to 8-7 overall and 2-2 in conference play. North Central returns to action on Tuesday, January 19, playing its fifth-ranked opponent of the year when Carthage College makes the trek to Gregory Arena. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.