FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mark Albanese, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Box Score

Nov. 26, 2011-- A 31-10 scoring surge spanning two halves of play turned a tight affair into a blowout as the North Central College men's basketball team defeated Illinois College, 75-60 on Saturday inside Gregory Arena.

Neither team was able to assert its dominance in the opening half of play as neither squad led by more than six points. A 27-27 tie with 5:16 remaining in the opening half turned into a six-point 34-28 Blue Boy (1-2) lead with 1:10 remaining before North Central's Charlie Rosenberg scored the half's final five points as the Cardinals went into the locker room trailing just 34-33. Rosenberg kick-started the mini-run with a three-point play, converting a layup and a free throw before nailing a jumper at the buzzer.

North Central (3-1) continued where it left off in the second half, turning a 45-42 lead into a 10-point buffer with 13:55 remaining after Kevin Gillespie reigned down three three-pointers in consecutive possessions. The Cardinals continued to apply the heat with Derek Raridon sinking a trey and CJ Goldthree converting a layup, enjoying a 59-44 edge with 11:34 remaining, capping off a 31-10 run started by Rosenbertg in the first half. North Central led by at least 12-points the remainder of the contest, cruising to the 15-point victory.

Landon Gamble led all scorers with 22 points, going eight-for-12 from the floor while sinking all six free throw attempts. Gillespie drained four threes, ending the night with 14 points while Aaron Tiknis netted the double-double, scoring 10 points while grabbing a game-high 12 boards while adding six assists.

Zeke Light led the Blue Boys with 18 points while Spencer Campbell added 14.

The Cardinals return to the hardwood on Thursday at 7 p.m. (Eastern Time), traveling to Albion College (Mich.).