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

Box Score

Jan. 4, 2012-- The North Central College women's basketball team was unable to bottle up hot-shooting Carthage College on Wednesday night, falling 72-48 to the nationally-ranked Lady Reds inside Gregory Arena in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin opener for both teams.

The Cardinals (6-6, 0-1 CCIW) grabbed an early 7-4 lead with 16:52 remaining in the opening half and hung close to the 25th-ranked Lady Reds (10-2, 1-0 CCIW) before Carthage mounted a 14-2 run midway through the half, turning a 16-14 lead into a 14-point buffer.

A jumper and a three by Paula Elum and a layup by Helen Muleya whittled the deficit to just seven for North Central  before the Lady Reds pulled away again, enjoying a 36-25 lead at the break.

Carthage drained 71.4 percent (15-for-21) of its shots in the second stanza, holding at least a 13-point lead the entire half en route to the 24-point win while finishing the game shooting 62.5 percent (30-for-48) from the floor while the Cardinals hit just 35.3 percent (19-for-54) on the night.

12 Cardinals recorded a bucket in the game with Muleya leading the way with seven points. Emily Collins added five points and three steals while grabbing three boards.

Cailee Corcoran led the Lady Reds with 20 points while Diana Jacklin added 16.

North Central returns to the hardwood on Saturday, traveling to Rock Island, Ill. to face Augustana College at 5:30 p.m.