Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
Box Score
CHICAGO, Ill. (Jan. 23, 2021) – Following nearly a year layoff, the North Central College women's basketball team struggled to shake off the rust in the 2021 season opener, falling to College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) foe North Park University, 59-47 on Saturday inside North Park Gymnasium.
North Central (0-1) jumped out to an early 7-4 lead behind a pair of layups from
Mitrese Smith and
Sadie Jurkovic, while
Haydn Braun knocked down a three-pointer, but that lead was quickly erased as the Vikings (1-0) went on a 9-0 run and would hold the lead the remainder of the contest.
The Vikings opened up a 31-21 lead at halftime and held a double-digit lead the entire second half, as the Cardinals were significantly out-rebounded, 49-33, including a 19-8 deficit on the offensive glass, leading to 14 second-chance points for North Park.
Braun led North Central with 14 points, while Jurkovic,
Megan McClure and
Allison Pearson each added six. Jurkovic also led the team with nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Cardinals had a tough time controlling North Park down low, as Josie Summerville and Jayla Johnson each finished in double digits, scoring 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Summerville also added a team-leading nine rebounds and three steals.
The two teams return to action on Monday, Jan. 25, as the Cardinals seek revenge of the Vikings with tip-off inside Gregory Arena scheduled for 7 p.m. Links to live in-game coverage are available
HERE.
