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Box Score

Nov. 19, 2011 - Withstanding a second-half surge for the second straight night, the North Central College men's basketball team improved to 2-0 for the season with a 72-70 victory over Trine University in the Courtyard Chicago Naperville Tip-Off Tournament Saturday at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals saw an eight-point second half lead dissipate and faced a tie game with 2:13 to play, but scored five straight points down the stretch to stay unbeaten in the early portion of their season.

North Central bolted to a 16-5 lead after six minutes of play, but the Thunder (1-1) held the hosts scoreless for the next six minutes while scoring 13 in a row, including three straight three-pointers, to take their first lead at 18-17 and prompt a Cardinal timeout. Landon Gamble scored after play resumed, and the score was tied twice before Charlie Rosenberg scored two straight baskets on the inside. Trine narrowed the gap to 33-32 in the final minute of the opening half, but a three-pointer by Mike Boyd and a jumper by Derek Raridon sent the Cardinals into the intermission leading, 38-32.

North Central took its largest lead at 48-40 with 15:57 left in the game before the Thunder charged back into contention with a 15-4 run that gave the guests a 55-52 advantage with 8:32 to play. Trine led, 58-55, when Rosenberg scored in the lane to close the gap to a single point, and a pair of free throws by Raridon put the Cardinals back in front, 595-8, with 6:28 left.

The score was knotted three more times down the stretch, the last of which came at 65-65. CJ Goldthree converted a layup off a pass from Gamble, the Cardinals forced a turnover, and Raridon fed Aaron Tiknis for a layup to put North Central in the driver's seat once again. Trine's Braden Knight slashed the lead to two with a three-pointer with 16 seconds left, but two free throws from Kevin Gillespie put the contest out of reach.

North Central had five players score in double figures for the second straight contest. Raridon paced the Cardinals with 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists and was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Gillespie and Goldthree each scored 12 and Gamble and Rosenberg both tallied 11. Rosenberg also grabbed eight rebounds and Tiknis finished with five assists. Gamble was also named to the All-Tournament Team.

Trine was led by Ian Jackson's 22 points, while Knight and Tim Pearcy each scored 11. Jackson and Pearcy both made the All-Tournament Team.

North Central travels to face Aurora University (1-2) on Tuesday. Tipoff at Thornton Gymnasium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.