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

ELMHURST, Ill. (Jan. 20, 2018) - A furious mid-game surge put an end to the North Central College men's basketball team's nine-game winning streak Saturday at R.A. Faganel Hall, as Elmhurst College found its stride and wiped out a 16-point deficit in posting a 91-77 victory over the Cardinals.

North Central (12-5, 5-3 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) absorbed its first loss in six weeks despite coming out firing to the tune of 59.4 percent shooting (19 of 32) in the first half and leading comfortably through most of the early going. The Cardinals used an 8-2 run to break a 13-13 tie and pull in front in the opening minutes, then embarked on a 9-2 surge to take their largest lead at 47-31 following a tip-in by Alex Sorenson with 3:29 before halftime.

The Bluejays (11-6, 4-4 CCIW), however, made 6 of 8 shots before the break while holding the visitors scoreless, netting 13 straight points to close the gap to 47-44 when Derek Dotlich's three-pointer beat the halftime buzzer. Elmhurst kept its momentum as play resumed in the second period, and a 16-4 run over a seven-minute span put the hosts in front, 60-51. The Bluejays extended the lead to its largest a 76-61 with 8:15 to play, completing a stretch of just over 15 minutes when they shot 18 of 28 from the field and outscored North Central, 45-14.

The closest the Cardinals got down the stretch was nine points on a pair of occasions. Sorenson led all scorers with 22 points on 9 of 12 shooting, while Connor Raridon and Erwin Henry each scored 15. Raridon added game highs of nine rebounds and seven assists. 

Jeremy Ireland led five Elmhurst double-figure scorers with 21 points, while Jake Rhode contributed 18 points, five assists and four steals.

North Central returns home to face Millikin University (8-8, 1-6) at Gregory Arena on Wednesday before hosting Elmhurst on Saturday. Tipoff for both contests is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.