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

LISLE, Ill. (Nov. 21, 2016) - In its first game of the 2016-2017 season, the 13th-ranked North Central College men's basketball team scored a victory over sixth-ranked Benedictine University on Monday, securing a 72-69 win on the Eagles' home court at the Dan and Ada Rice Center.

The Cardinals were led by a career-high scoring effort from junior forward Alex Sorenson, who poured in 32 points on 15 of 23 shooting while grabbing 12 rebounds, in delivering their fifth win over Benedictine (1-2) in the past six seasons and regaining possession of the Bill Warden/Tony LaScala Trophy, the traveling trophy between the two teams.

Monday's first half featured 12 lead changes before a layup by Sam Fehrle and a jump shot from Erwin Henry sparked a 15-2 run which gave the Cardinals a 41-29 lead late in the period. Sorenson scored six points in the rallly, capping it off with a layup on the fast break off a pass from Aiden Chang. Benedictine canned a pair of three-pointers before time ran out, narrowing the gap to 41-35 at halftime. 

The Cardinals kept the pressure on as the second half began, opening play with a three-pointer by Chang and adding two free throws by Connor Raridon before Sorenson and Jagger Anderson each scored twice in the paint to give the visitors their largest lead at 54-41 with 15:03 to play. 

Sorenson went on to score North Central's next 16 points, thwarting the Eagles' comeback efforts as Benedictine closed the deficit to a single point on three occasions. His final basket came with 29 seconds remaining, as he rebounded a desperation three-point heave by Erwin Henry with the shot clock winding down and put it back for a 70-67 lead. Benedictine's Tahron Harvey scored shortly thereafter to close the gap to 70-69. In an attempt to stop the clock, the Eagles fouled North Central's Sam Fehrle, but the freshman made the hosts pay by sinking two free throws to restore the Cardinals' advantage to three points. Benedictine was unable to get a shot off on the game's final possession.

Sorenson finished the evening making 15 of 23 shots from the field, scoring 20 points after halftime. Jagger Anderson added 10 points and a career-high nine assists, while Chang scored nine points and Raridon finished with eight points, six rebounds and four assists. Adam Reynolds paced Benedictine with 18 points and eight boards.

The Cardinals open the home portion of their schedule on Wednesday, hosting 14th-ranked Alma College (1-2). Tipoff at Gregory Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m.