Contact: Elliott Carr, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Nov 18., 2016 – While the North Central College women's basketball team are known for their high-octane offense, it was their suffocating defense that highlighted their season opening 101-67 victory over Piedmont College on Friday night, at Gregory Arena.
The work the Cardinals have been putting in on the defensive end over the preseason was clear for all to see, as their full court press caused Piedmont to cough up 44 turnovers, many of which led to 32 fast break points for North Central.
While the first quarter saw the Cardinals take an 18-8 lead, it was the second quarter that saw any opening game jitters disappear. Starting in the sixth minute, the Cardinals got hot from behind the three-point line and put the game all but out of reach for the Lions. Senior Anita Sterling, sophomore Siarra O'Neil, junior Michaela Reedy, O'Neil again and freshman Maya Walls connected on three-pointers in a run that saw the Cardinals take a 20 point lead. By the end of the first half, North Central led 54-24.
The third quarter was more of the same for North Central, highlighted by junior Mayson Whipple pushing the ball down the court and finding sophomore Selena Juarez for the layup while being fouled in the process, connecting on the three-point-play with her non-preferred left hand just over halfway through the quarter. They also continued the dominant display in the fourth, taking a 41 point lead with just under four minutes left to play on a junior Shannon Ryan layup.
Sterling led the way 15 points on an efficient 4-7 from the field and 3-5 from beyond the arc, to go along with four rebounds and two steals. Also major contributors were Ryan who chipped in 12 points and four rebounds, Reedy who finished with 11 points, Whipple who added six rebounds and three assists to go along with her nine points, and senior sharpshooter Miranda Grizaffi who also had nine points. On the boards, senior Jamie Cuny was dominant, finishing with ten for the game
The Cardinals will be in action next when they face local rival Benedictine University (2-0) at the Rice Center on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00 P.M. Live in game statistics and video can be accessed by clicking here.
