FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
KENOSHA, Wis. (Jan. 11, 2014) - Held to a season-low scoring total for the second sraight game, the North Central College men's basketball team dropped to 1-2 in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play on Saturday as the Cardinals lost by a 65-51 count at Carthage College.
In a game where open shots were at a premium, North Central (8-6, 1-2 CCIW) shot just under 50 percent from the floor (21 of 43, 48.8 percent), but was limited to nearly 10 fewer shot attempts than the Cardinals had averaged this season. The Cardinals also made just nine trips to the free throw line, less than half their total in most of the previous 13 outings.
The Cardinals were also stung by Carthage's three-point shooting. The Red Men sank 8 of 14 shots (57.1 percent) from beyond the arc and shot 60.0 percent (12-20) from the floor in the second half.
North Central held Carthage scoreless for more than four minutes at the start of the game, but were able to score only four points of their own during that time. The Cardinals owned an 18-15 advantage late in the first period before Carthage got back-to-back three-pointers from Malcom Kelly and Reese Herth to pull in front. North Central trailed by a single point, 23-22, with less than a minute before halftime, but Kelly sank a jumper and two free throws before the break to send the Red Men (9-5, 2-1) into the locker room with a 27-22 advantage.
Carthage left the Cardinals no window to stage a comeback early in the second half, making nine of its first 10 shots in the period and leading by as many as 14 points. North Central cut the lead to seven points at 49-42 with 6:31 to play, but two straight jumpers by Kelly quelled the rally.
Kelly scored 27 points on 8 of 14 shooting, including a 5 for 7 showing from three-point range, in 27 minutes off the bench to lead all scorers. He was the only Carthage player to score in double figures.
Vince Kmiec put up a team-high 11 points for the Cardinals, while Landon Gamble and Tyler Sutton each scored 10. Gamble also led North Central with nine rebounds and shared the team lead in assists (4) with Brandon Williams.
The Cardinals host No. 12-ranked Augustana College (12-2, 2-1) on Wednesday. The Vikings lost a 66-63 overtime decision at Wheaton College on Saturday. Tipoff at Gregory Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. Links to live video, audio and in-game statistics can be found by clicking HERE.
