Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Nov. 12, 2019 - A rare season opener which bore the look and feel of a postseason contest played out like one at Gregory Arena on Tuesday, as the North Central College men's basketball team opened the 2019-2020 campaign with a 76-66 setback at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
The No. 2-ranked Titans (2-0), winners of last season's NCAA Division III national championship, were able to take an early lead and keep the No. 3-ranked Cardinals at arm's length throughout the evening, leading from wire to wire.
After falling behind, 9-2, in the first three minutes, North Central called a timeout and regrouped. The hosts narrowed the gap to 13-10 two minutes later when Matt Cappelletti pulled up for a three-pointer on the fast break. Soon thereafter, the Titans put together an 8-2 run to pull ahead by double digits, and led by as many as 13 before taking a 45-33 advantage into halftime behind 15 points from sophomore guard Eric Peterson.
Oshkosh owned a 60-47 lead early in the second half before Will Clausel put up six straight points to slash the deficit to 60-53, and his layup off an assist from Aiden Chang with 6:37 to play left the Cardinals with just a 65-59 disadvantage. The Titans, however, scored 11 of the next 14 points to put the game out of reach.
Clausel came off the bench to lead North Central in scoring with 14 points on 6 of 9 shooting, while Connor Raridon finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and four assists and Cappelletti grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Peterson led all scorers with 18 points while also contributing 12 rebounds and five assists. Adam Fravert scored 15 points for Oshkosh.
The Cardinals host Greenville University (1-1) on Friday, with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options.
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