Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Box Score

HONOLULU, Hawaii (Dec. 19, 2016) – Opening play at the Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic, the North Central College women's basketball pulled out a back-and-forth battle over Chapman University, 93-84 with a strong fourth quarter on Monday inside Moanalua High School Gymnasium.
 
North Central (5-4) came out strong in the opening quarter, jumping out to a 13-2 lead just three minutes into the contest.  Jessica Dahle hit from beyond the arc on back-to-back possessions, while Siarra O'Neil and Paula Zerante also hit form deep during the run.
 
The Cardinals led by double digits nearly the rest of the first quarter, opening up its largest lead right before half as a Mayson Whipple layup gave North Central a 34-18 lead after the opening 10 minutes.
 
The North Central offense suddenly hit a dry spell however, scoring just 10 points in the second quarter, allowing the Panthers (2-5) to hang around and eventually tie the contest 44-44 at the intermission.
 
The offensive struggles continued for the Cardinals after halftime as Chapman opened up a double figure lead 65-55 with 2:45 to play in the third quarter. 
 
Finally coming back alive on the offensive end, North Central closed the third quarter on a 12-2 run, as Diamond Calicott and Natali Dimitrova each knocked down a pair of free throws, while Anita Sterling connected from long range and Zerante and Selena Juarez each scored in the paint to once again even the score 67-67 heading into the final quarter of play.
 
Another pair of free throws off the hand of Dimitrova gave North Central the lead for good 73-72 with 8:10 to play and the Cardinals would hold off the Panther attack the rest of the way, also making 9-of-12 free throws over the final 1:15 of the contest.
 
North Central tied a program record attempting 54 free throws on the evening, led by Whipple's 9-of-11 shooting from the line, leading the team with 17 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.  Zerante finished with 15 points, while Dimitrova and Sterling each added 10 points off the bench.  Jamie Cuny also finished with 10 rebounds to tie for the team lead, while leading all players with four blocks.
 
Closing out play in the Hoops in Hawaii Holiday Classic tomorrow, North Central takes on Occidental College at 3 p.m. (HST) at Moanalua Gymnasium.