Contact:Â Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324Box Score
DECATUR, Ill. (Jan. 6, 2016) -- Holding a steady lead throughout, the North Central College women's basketball team earned its first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) win of the season with a 91-81 victory over Millikin University on Wednesday inside the Griswold Center.
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Trailing 12-7 with 4:01 to play in the opening quarter, North Central (7-6, 1-1 CCIW) closed the quarter on a 22-5 run to quickly take a 29-17 lead after the opening 10 minutes. The Cardinal run was jolted by three-pointer on three-straight possessions, as
Mayson Whipple got the scoring started with a long ball and
Michaela Reedy followed with back-to-back threes, both set up from Whipple.Â
Miranda Grizaffi got in on the three-point barrage later in the quarter, while a lay-in from
Anita Sterling as time expired capped the North Central run.
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North Central led by double-figures the entire second quarter, opening up its largest lead with 6:50 to play as a
Therese Pettersson lay-up increased the Cardinal lead 39-17.
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A 8-0 Millikin run early in the third quarter cut the Cardinal lead to eight, 58-50, but North Central would respond right back, closing the quarter on a 16-7 run to once again increase the lead to double figures 74-57.
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The Cardinals' shot just 6-for-12 from the free throw line down the stretch, but held on for the 91-81 victory. The North Central offense was led by Whipple's 16 points and four assists, while Sterling turned in her first career double-double, finishing with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Pettersson also finished with 13 points off the bench, while Reedy added 10 points.
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Millikin's Alyssa Saklak led all players with 23 points and 15 boards, while Kelsey Going added 18 points and eight rebounds for the Big Blue (7-7, 0-2 CCIW).
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North Central continues CCIW play on Saturday, Jan. 9, traveling to No. 17 Wheaton College with tip-off slated for 5 p.m. Links to live coverage available
HERE.Â
