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

Box Score vs. Olivet
Box Score vs. Kalamazoo
 
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Dec. 1, 2019 - The North Central College men's basketball team enjoyed two strong performances in the Kalamazoo College Tournament over the weekend, recording comfortable victories in both games at the Anderson Athletic Center to improve to 4-2 on the season.

The Cardinals built sizable advantages early in the contest on both days, strolling to a 93-53 win over Olivet College (Michigan) in their opener on Saturday before taking down the host Hornets, 75-60, on Sunday.

Connor Raridon scored eight points in a 13-4 game-opening run against Olivet in the first 3:25. North Central put its stamp on the contest by outscoring the Comets, 20-2, over the final 8:24 of the period, during which time Olivet (1-3) was limited to 1 of 8 shooting from the floor with seven turnovers. Matt Cappelletti scored a team-high seven points in the rally, including a three-pointer with 48 seconds on the clock, and Raridon's putback at the buzzer sent the Cardinals into the break with a commanding 50-20 advantage. North Central led by at least 33 points the rest of the way.

Raridon finished with 23 points on 9 of 14 shooting, while Cappelletti and Matt Helwig each scored 11. Cappelletti also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

The Cardinals followed a similar script in Sunday's finale, as Will Clausel scored seven points in a 11-5 run that spanned the first four minutes. After Kalamazoo (3-4) rallied to tie the score at 11-11, Michael Pollack knocked down a three-pointer on the next trip down the floor. With 10:31 on the clock, North Central went on a 13-0 run featuring a trio fo three-pointers from Aaron Jones, and the visitors went on to close the half with a 39-22 lead.

An 11-0 surge over the first five minutes of the second period put the contest out of reach, with Cappelletti providing eight points in the rally. Raridon totaled 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists, while Cappelletti and Jones each scored 12 and Blaise Meredith totaled four assists.

The Cardinals open College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play on Wednesday at Carthage College (5-0). Tipoff at Tarble Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options.

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