Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Jan. 25, 2020 - A second straight lockdown performance on defense was accompanied by a potent offensive effort for the North Central College men's basketball team on Saturday, as the Cardinals won their 11th straight game in decisive fashion over Millikin University, 90-55, at Gregory Arena.
North Central permitted less than 60 points for the third time in four games, seizing a large early lead and preserving it with a perimeter shooting attack which netted 16 three-point shots in 32 attempts, coming just one triple short of matching the program's single-game record. Five Cardinals scored in double figures and eight made at least one three-pointer.
The Big Blue (4-14, 1-8 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) put together a strong start and owned a 9-4 lead early, though two free throws by Matt Helwig and a step-back three from Blaise Meredith quickly leveled the score. The lead changed hands twice more before Millikin's Cole Laurence scored in the lane to knot the score at 16-16 with 10:24 left in the first half.
Laurence's bucket wound up being the final Big Blue field goal for nearly nine minutes as the Cardinals embarked on the run that would define the contest. Aiden Chang was fouled knocking down a short jumper and completed the three-point play, and Matt Cappelletti scored inside before Aaron Jones buried a three on the fast break to provide the hosts with a 24-16 lead and prompt a Millikin timeout.
Jones was fouled while sinking another three-pointer soon after play resumed and completed a four-point play, igniting a 17-3 North Central run over the final 7:40 of the half to put the Cardinals in front at the break, 41-21. Millikin made just 7 of 27 shots from the floor (25.9 percent) in the first 20 minutes.
Meredith scored seven points in a 49-second stretch early in the second half, including a four-point play of his own, and the Cardinals (15-3, 8-1 CCIW) led by at least 20 points the rest of the way. North Central sank 11 of 18 shots (61.1 percent) from beyond the three-point arc after halftime.
Connor Raridon led North Central with 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists while Jones scored a season-high 13 points and Helwig, Meredith and Michael Pollack each totaled 12.
The Cardinals travel to face Illinois Wesleyan University (11-6, 5-3) on Wednesday, looking to complete a season sweep after defeating the Titans on Jan. 8 at Gregory Arena, 82-69. Tipoff at the Shirk Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options.
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