Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Dec. 1, 2018 - Determined defense and timely scoring nearly enabled the North Central College women's basketball team to completely erase a daunting halftime deficit Saturday evening, but the Cardinals' second-half surge came up just short in a 73-69 loss to Millikin University at Gregory Arena in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) opener for both teams.
Struggling to get untracked in the early going, North Central made just 7 of 30 shots (23.3 percent) from the floor in the first half and trailed by as many as 22 points before two free throws from Sydney Geis and a three-pointer by Alanna Newsome in the final 20 seconds of the second period to leave the score at 37-20 in Millikin's favor at halftime. The Cardinals outscored Millikin, 8-0, over the first three minutes of the third quarter.
A 14-4 surge later in the period, featuring two three-pointers from Lyndsey Brennan and a third from Newsome, narrowed the gap to 48-43 with 2:23 on the clock. The Big Blue (2-5, 1-0 CCIW) stretched its lead to 54-43 in the final minute of the quarter, but Newsome responded once again with a three-pointer and a jump shot before the buzzer sounded to close the deficit to six points with one period to play.
Once again, Millikin extended its lead into double digits, owning a 61-49 advantage with 7:39 to play, but the hosts were undeterred. Trailing, 63-53, the Cardinals scored nine straight points to pull within a single point at 63-62 with 2:22 to play. The Big Blue, however, got baskets from Yanni Sadler on three straight possessions to remain a step ahead.
With the visitors in front, 70-67, in the final minute, North Central's Mitrese Smith was fouled pulling down an offensive rebound and made two free throws, once again bringing the Cardinals within a point of leveling the score with 21 seconds to play. With so little time left, the hosts were forced to foul in an attempt to extend the game, and the Big Blue made 3 of 4 charity shots down the stretch to secure the win.
Newsome led all scorers with 24 points (18 in the second half), the highest single-game total for a North Central player this season. Brennan added a season-high 13 points, while Tyonne Howard totaled 12 points, six assists and six steals.
Millikin was led by Aubrey Staton's 17 points, while Jordan Hildebrand scored 15 and Sadler finished with 12.
The Cardinals (1-4, 0-1 CCIW) travel to face Augustana College (4-3, 1-0) on Wednesday. Tipoff at the Carver Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
