Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
Feb. 8, 2020 - Funneling the energy from an emotionally-charged atmosphere into its defense, the North Central College men's basketball team had the clamps on Elmhurst College from the opening tip Saturday evening, as the Cardinals won their seventh straight home game, 56-45, over the Bluejays at Gregory Arena.
On a night when it recognized its seniors for their years of effort and commitment, No. 17-ranked North Central (17-4, 10-2 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) limited the No. 8-ranked Bluejays to just over half their season scoring average as Elmhurst connected on just 28.3 percent (15 of 53) of its field-goal attempts. The Cardinals never trailed in the game and led by at least eight points throughout the second half.
Owning a 9-8 advantage with 11:15 left in the first half, North Central embarked on the scoring run that would define the contest, scoring 20 unanswered points in a seven-minute stretch. The surge, capped off by an alley-oop dunk by Blaise Meredith and a three-pointer by Matt Cappelletti, left the score at 29-8 with 2:33 left in the first half. A 30-foot desperation three-pointer at the buzzer by Aiden Chang found the net as well, sending the hosts into halftime with a 34-15 advantage.
The Cardinals held Elmhurst (18-4, 9-4 CCIW) in the conference in scoring to nearly 40 points below their season average. Matt Cappelletti led all scorers with 16 points while also grabbing 11 rebounds, as Matt Helwig put up 12 points and Chang scored 10. Connor Raridon handed out a game-high six assists.
Jake Rhode put up 15 points for Elmhurst, which also got 11 points and eight rebounds from Lavon Thomas and 10 points from Dominic Genco.
The Cardinals travel to face Augustana College on Wednesday. North Central defeated the Vikings, 54-53, on Jan. 22. Tipoff at the Carver Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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