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

Box Score

Jan. 18, 2017 – In a contest featuring 14 lead changes, the North Central College women's basketball team outlasted Carthage College on Wednesday evening 87-82, in a tight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) matchup inside Gregory Arena.

After nearly 39 minutes of back-and-forth action, North Central (10-6, 4-3 CCIW) held possession with a slim 83-82 lead with 1:24 to play in the contest when Paula Zerante drove past her defender to the basket for an easy layup, increasing the Cardinal lead to three with just over a minute remaining.

Carthage (8-7, 3-4 CCIW) had a pair of chances to tie the contest late, but the Lady Reds misfired on back-to-back three point attempts, while Jamie Cuny was fouled on the subsequent rebound and knocked down both free throws on the other end to seal the win 87-82.

Neither team led by double digits in the contest, as North Central's largest lead came at the 4:31 mark of the opening quarter 14-6, but a 14-3 Carthage run to end the quarter turned the tide in favor of the Lady Reds, 20-17.

After Carthage took a 45-37 lead into halftime, the Lady Reds opened up a 52-43 advantage, its largest lead of the contest with 7:17 to play in the third, but a quick 14-4 Cardinal run quickly evaporated the Carthage lead.

The fourth quarter featured four lead changes and five ties before North Central was able to pull away late, as Cuny led North Central with 16 points, eight rebounds and six blocks.  Jessica Dahle finished with a career-high 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, while Zerante and Natali Dimitrova each added 10.  Lyndsay Brennan dished out a team-leading six assists on the evening, while Anita Sterling grabbed four steals.

The Carthage offense was led by Monica Masini's 20 point, 12 rebound double-double, while Rachel Szydlowski also finished with a double-double, adding 14 points and 12 rebounds.  Madie Kaelber finished with 16 points, while Autumn Kalis added 13 and Morgan Harris led all players with nine assists.

North Central hits the road on Saturday, Jan. 21, traveling to Elmhurst College with tip-off at R.A. Faganel Hall at 2 p.m.