Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
Box Score
HOLLAND, Mich. (Nov. 12, 2021) - In their first game away from Gregory Arena, the North Central College women's basketball team fell to the University of Mount Union (Ohio) 75-59 in the first round of the Hope College Tip-Off Tournament.
A layup from Mitrese Smith tied the contest at five apiece, with 8:40 to go in the first quarter before three straight points from Natalie Stavropoulos gave the Cardinals an early lead. Mount Union ended the quarter on a 13-4 run to take a seven-point advantage.
Another Smith bucket stopped the Raiders run as she scored her eighth point of the game. With 4:14 to go in the half, Stephanie Kowalczyk found Jessica Kowalczyk for a two-pointer to close the gap, 31-20. Abby Cox recorded her first points of the game with 58-seconds to go in the second quarter as Mount Union led 43-26 going into the break.
North Central began the third quarter on a 7-1 run to bring themselves within 11. Mount Union responded with a 9-2 rally of their own to increase their lead. With nine seconds to go in the third, J. Kowalczyk scored her tenth point of the contest, marking her fifth time scoring double figures in her Cardinal career.
Allison Pearson hit a jumper for her seventh point of the game with 7:01 to go in the final quarter. After Pearson knocked down her second three of the night, the Raiders held a 71-55 lead. Mount Union would control the rest of the game to win 75-59.
Smith and Pearson posted double figures for the second straight game as J. Kowalczyk also scored 10 points. S. Kowalczyk recorded five rebounds and four assists, leading the Cardinals in both categories. Maddy Miles led Mount Union with 13 points while Isi Palamone added 13. Four Raiders scored double-digits.
The Cardinals face either the host Hope College or Edgewood College (Wis.) tomorrow on the final day of the Hope College Tip-Off Tournament. You can find live coverage links HERE.
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