FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Box Score

Jan. 20, 2010 - An off shooting night came at a bad time for the North Central College men's basketball team Wednesday night, as the Cardinals dropped an 85-71 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin encounter to Carthage College at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals shot well below their season averages from the field and the free-throw line, negating advantages on the boards and in the turnover battle as they dropped to 1-4 in CCIW play and 8-8 overall.

After surrendering the game's first five points, North Central recovered and took a 12-8 lead on a dunk by David Twyman. The Red Men (12-4, 4-1 CCIW) scored the next seven points to retake the lead, eventually extending their advantage to 36-28 by halftime.

Carthage opened the second half with a 10-3 surge to take a 46-31 advantage, and had opened the lead up to 20 points midway through the period. A 7-0 Cardinal rally closed the gap to 62-49 with 8:57 remaining, but three minutes later, the advantage was back up to 70-51.

A frantic comeback attempt cut North Central's deficit to 75-65 after Derek Raridon's three-pointer with 2:37 to play, but the hosts could get no closer as Carthage made 7 of 8 free throws in the final two minutes.

Carthage's Steve Djurickovic, who entered the contest as the CCIW's leader in scoring and assists, finished with game highs in both categories (25 points, eight assists). Tyler Pierce added 15 pionts and Cody Hilton and Malcom Kelly added 10.

Raridon paced North Central with 21 points. Twyman put up 15 and Reid Barringer scored 10. Jon Knapczyk and Brian Evans each grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Cardinals host Augustana College (10-6, 3-2) Saturday at 7:30 p.m.