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

Box Score

Jan. 23, 2010 - The North Central College women's basketball team came through in the clutch to post its first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin victory Saturday, defeating the Augustana College Vikings, 62-58, at Gregory Arena.

Trailing, 54-50, late in the second period, the Cardinals (4-13, 1-5 CCIW) got back-to-back three-pointers from Jackie Errico and Latrice Newson to move into the lead. Newson added a pair of free throws to extend the hosts' lead to 58-54.

With 2:30 to play, Augustana's Natalie Runge buried two free throws to cut her team's deficit in half. After a pair of Cardinal turnovers, Runge went to the line once again with 1:18 to play, knocking down both attempts to knot the score at 58-58.

The Cardinals turned the ball over on the ensuing possession but got a stop on the defensive end. Errico was fouled with 24 seconds remaining, and the junior made both charity shots.

North Central's defense was also up to the task on what turned out to be the Vikings' last offensive opportunity, as Runge's jumper was off the mark and Errico grabbed the rebound. Jenny Swanson was fouled in desperation, and made both free throws to seal the win.

The Cardinals opened the game with an 11-5 run, getting five points from Swanson and four from Christine Karl. Augustana bounced back and tied the contest at 15-15, but Errico's three-pointer with 11:20 left in the period nudged the hosts back in front.

North Central extended its advantage to seven points (22-15) and stayed in front until just 34 seconds remained in the opening half, when Kristen Fox's brought the Vikings even with the home team, 31-31. The Cardinals, however, still managed to carry a lead into the locker room, as Errico buried another three-pointer with 13 seconds left to give North Central a 34-31 edge.

Errico, who played 36 minutes after coming off the bench, finished with 20 points, eight rebounds and four steals for the Cardinals, while Karl totaled 10 points and four assists and Brittany James tallied nine points, four assists and four steals.

Lani Kasten was the top scorer for the Vikings with 20 points on 9 of 12 shooting.

North Central returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to face Elmhurst College at 7:30 p.m.