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

Box Score

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (Jan. 22, 2011) -  A four-game winning streak came to an end for the North Central College men's basketball team on Saturday, as the Cardinals were turned away by the eighth-ranked Augustana College Vikings, 66-50, at the Carver Center.

The Cardinals (8-9, 4-2 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) dropped into a tie for second place in the CCIW standings with Illinois Wesleyan University after succumbing to the conference leaders.

North Central led through the first 10 minutes of play, owning a 17-14 advantage after a three-pointer by Chris Smith and a free throw from Landon Gamble. A three-pointer from Augustana's Brian DeSimone tied the contest, and the teams traded baskets before the Vikings embarked on a 13-4 run to take control. The hosts wound up taking a 32-25 advantage into halftime.

The Cardinals closed the gap to four points early in the second period, but Augustana (17-0, 6-0 CCIW) scored the next 10 points to take a 42-28 lead with 15:19 to play. The visitors once again pulled to within seven points at 48-41 following a jumper by Malcom Ivy with 10:45 left, but the Vikings closed the door with a 14-4 surge that left them with a 62-45 edge with 4:11 to go.

Derek Raridon led North Central with 13 points and shared the team lead in assists with Brian Evans, who also grabbed a team-high five rebounds.

Augustana was led in scoring by DeSimone, who scored 13 points, and Kameron North, who scored 12.

The Cardinals host Elmhurst College at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.