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

Box Score

Nov. 23, 2010 - The North Central College men's basketball team suffered a third straight loss on Tuesday, dropping a 66-59 decision to the Aurora University Spartans at Gregory Arena.

Despite making just 33.3 percent (19-57) of their field-goal attempts, the Cardinals managed to keep themselves in contention until the home stretch before getting held scoreless for the final 2:46 of the contest.

North Central trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but narrowed the gap to 25-22 with 3:05 left in the period after a jumper by Pat Rourke and a three-point play by Landon Gamble.

Aurora (1-2) carried a 27-23 lead into halftime and stayed in front until a Kevin Gillespie three-pointer gave the Cardinals their first lead at 31-30 with 17:11 to play. The Spartans, however, responded with back-to-back threes by Mike Bumber and Joel Iventosch to pull back in front.

The hosts pulled even at 49-49 with 8:55 remaining, following two free throws by CJ Goldthree. A three-point play by Iventosch nudged Aurora in front once again, and the Spartans led by as many as seven points before North Central bounced back and cut the deficit to 60-59 on a Vince Kmiec three-pointer with 2:46 left.

The Cardinals, however, were unable to score again, turning the ball over three times in the final 1:09 as Aurora made 4 of 5 free throws.

Derek Raridon put up team highs of 12 points, six rebounds and three assists for North Central, while Iventosch finished with a game-high 14 points off the bench for the Spartans.

The Cardinals travel to Illinois College on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.