Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
ELMHURST, Ill. (Dec. 14, 2019) - Seeing five different players hit double figures in the scoring column and overcoming a halftime deficit to post a victory for the first time this season, the North Central College men's basketball team claimed its third straight win on Saturday, toppling the No. 12-ranked Elmhurst College Bluejays, 76-74, at R.A. Faganel Hall.
The Cardinals (7-3, 2-1 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) trailed by as many as 12 points before rallying midway through the second half, pulling in front for good after going 5 for 6 from the floor, including four three-pointers, in a three-minute stretch.
Facing a 55-48 deficit with 11:29 to play, North Central got started on the comeback trail after a pair of free throws by Aaron Jones and a three-pointer from Michael Pollack. Jones came up with a steal and fed Matt Cappelletti for a triple on the fast break, and Cappelletti collected a steal of his own and threw down a dunk to cap a 10-0 surge in just 1:26 and prompt a Bluejay timeout with 9:10 on the clock and the visitors owning a 58-55 advantage.
Elmhurst (6-1, 1-1 CCIW) rallied and regained the lead at 62-61 on Derek Dotlich's three with 7:21 left, but Blaise Meredith connected from long range on two straight trips down the floor. Will Clausel's inside basket with 1:34 to go left the Cardinals with a 74-69 advantage, but a three-point play by Lavon Thomas cut the hosts' deficit to 74-72. Clausel made one of two free throws before Elmhurst's Jake Rhode drove the lane for a layup to close the gap to 75-74 with just 11 seconds on the clock. Pollack was fouled and made the first of two free throws. The second shot was off the mark, but a last-second heave by Rhode was unsuccessful as well.
Cappelletti led the Cardinals with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Connor Raridon paired 14 points with seven assists. Clausel and Aiden Chang each totaled 11 points and Jones scored 10. Dotlich put up 18 points and Thomas totaled 17 points and 16 boards for Elmhurst.
The Cardinals are idle until Saturday, Dec. 28, when they travel to face Concordia University Texas on the Tornados' home floor in Austin. Tipoff at Concordia Fieldhouse is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options.
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