Women's Basketball | 11/21/2014 10:08:00 PM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Nov. 21, 2014 - The North Central College women's basketball team wasted no time shifting its offense into high gear as the 2014-2015 campaign opened Friday, putting six players in double figures scoring and setting a school record for three-point shot attempts in a 100-84 victory over St. Mary's College (Indiana) in the Chicago Marriott Naperville TIp-Off Tournament at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals uncorked 67 three-pointers (making 16), breaking the previous North Central single-game record of 65 set against Augustana College on Feb. 9, 2013. The total was just one short of the NCAA Division III record of 68 set by Centenary College (New Jersey) in 2009.

North Central's shooting was off the mark in the first few minutes as the Belles (0-3) opened up a 9-2 advantage. A three-pointer by Miranda Grizaffi and a layup in transition by Tess Godhardt got the Cardinals untracked and ignited a 17-2 run that gave North Central a 19-11 lead after Kim Wilson's layup with 12:01 on the first-half clock. A 12-2 surge, including triples from Grizaffi and Therese Petterson, gave the hosts their largest lead of the first period at 40-25 before St. Mary's narrowed the gap to 44-33 at halftime.

St. Mary's shot 59.0 percent from the floor in the second half but was unable to make a dent in the Cardinals' lead as North Central forced 14 turnovers over the final 20 minutes and led by as many as 22 points down the stretch.

Grizaffi sank 5 of 11 three-pointers and led the Cardinals with 16 points, while Godhardt, Maryssa Cladis and Jamie Cuny each scored 14 and Bobbi Johns and Michaela Reedy both totaled 10. Cuny grabbed nine rebounds and blocked four shots, Cladis and Corinne Rowe handed out four assists apiece and Johns came up with four of North Central's 21 steals.

Ariana Paul paced St. Mary's by piling up game highs of 20 points and 20 rebounds. Krista Knapke totaled 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, while Gabby Diamond scored 13 points and Eleni Shea netted 11. 

The Cardinals take on Millsaps College (Mississippi), a 55-31 winner on Friday against Trinity International University, in the tournament's final day on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Links to live audio, in-game statistics and a live video broadcast from Naperville Community Television, can be accessed by clicking HERE.