FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Drew Sauer,Graduate Assistant to Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Box Score

Dec. 30, 2011-- The North Central College women's basketball team let one slip away Friday night inside Gregory Arena, as Benedictine University battled back from a 13 point first half deficit, overtaking the Cardinals (6-5), 62-60.

The Cardinals came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, going on a 8-0 run to start the contest.  North Central would slowly increase their lead to as many as 13 points with just under six minutes remaining until halftime but the Eagles (4-8) battled back on a 14-4 run trimming the Cardinal lead to just 3 points heading into halftime.

Benedictine saw their first lead of the game come with 12:20 left to play in the second half as Michelle Gaede hit a jumper putting the Eagles ahead, 44-43.  The Eagles would not be able to hold that lead as Lauren Hernandez drilled one of her trio of three pointers tying the game, 48-48, with 8 minutes left in the contest.  The Cardinals took the lead on the next possession as Larynn Shumaker layed in one of her 10 points on the evening giving the Cardinals the lead once again.

The two teams traded buckets down the stretch but the Eagles overcame the Cardinal lead once and for all with just under two minutes left in the contest, when Michelle Gaede put home the game winning basket, giving the Eagles a 61-60 lead.  

Gaede finished the contest as the leading scorer, tallying 18 points go to along with her team high 8 rebounds.  Tracey Walsh and Katie Hunzinger each added 11 points for Benedictine.

The Cardinals also had three players in double figures, led by Emily Murphy's 12 points.  Larynn Shumaker and Lauren Hernandez finished with 10 points apiece while Emily Collins led all players with 9 rebounds.

North Central opens up College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin play on Wednesday, Jan. 4 as they host Carthage College.  Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.