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Box Score

CHICAGO, Ill. (Nov. 15, 2010)-- The North Central College women's basketball team raced out to an early lead but was unable to weather a late first half onslaught by the University of Chicago, falling 79-54 inside the Ratner Center in the season opener for both teams.

The Cardinals jumped out to an early seven-point lead just three minutes into the contest. Sophie Newson and Jackie Errico kick-started the run, hitting back-to-back three-pointers before getting a layup from Christine Karl. Errico tallied the final points of the run, hitting a layup and sinking a free-throw to complete the three-point play and give the visitors the 11-4 lead.

Chicago secured its first lead of the night five minutes in, scoring nine straight points to take the 13-11 lead. The Cardinals reclaimed the lead and led by four points with 12:47 remaining courtesy of a Jenny Swanson three before the Maroons closed out the half on a 33-7 scoring spurt, taking a 22-point edge into the halftime intermission.

North Central played almost even with Chicago in the final 20 minutes of play, getting outscored by a slim 31-28 margin.

The Cardinals sunk 82.4 percent of their free-throws (14-for-17) and won the turnover battle but it was not enough to overcome Chicago's red-hot shooting as the hosts hit 50 percent (34-for-68) of its shots from the floor.

Errico finished with a double-double, scoring 13 points and collecting 11 rebounds while Newson added 13 points. Karl was the third Cardinal in double figures with 11 points while dishing out a game-high five assists.

Chicago's Taylor Simpson and Bryanne Halfhill led all scorers with 18 points. Simpson additionally grabbed a game-high 14 boards while Corey Mulder came off the bench and chipped in 11 points.

With the loss, North Central drops to 0-1 on the season while Chicago, receiving votes in the most recent D3Hoops.com Top 25 Poll, improves to 1-0. The Cardinals return to the hardwood on Friday, Nov. 19, hosting Webster University at 5 p.m. inside Gregory Arena in the opening round of the annual NCC Holiday Inn Select Tip-Off Tournament.