Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Box Score
LISLE, Ill. (Nov. 23, 2021) - Back in action for the first time in 10 days, the North Central College men's basketball team kept itself a step ahead of Benedictine University throughout Tuesday's game at the Rice Center and reclaimed the Bill Warden/Tony La Scala Trophy by edging the Eagles, 65-62.
The Cardinals (2-1) threatened to break the game open early, owning a 21-9 advantage after 12 minutes of play after limiting Benedictine to 4 of 22 shooting from the floor. North Central owned a 27-23 lead at halftime and stayed in front until early in the second period, when the hosts rallied to tie the score at 34-34.
Matt Helwig connected from three-point range, then knocked down a pair of free throws to push North Central back in front, 39-34, and the visitors stayed ahead until the Eagles' Jeff Kratz sank a three-pointer to provide Benedictine (1-4) with a 54-52 lead with 6:16 to play. A pair of inside buckets by Ethan Helwig helped the Cardinals keep pace before Shea Cupples swiped a Benedictine pass and sailed in for a layup to tie the score at 60-60 with 2:34 left.
Matt Helwig was fouled at the top of the key on a three-point attempt with 1:07 on the clock and made all three free throws, though a turnaround jumper in the lane by Benedictine's Marvin Agwomoh lef the visitors with just a 63-62 edge with under a minute left. Following a time-out, Ethan Helwig broke free for a layup with 19 seconds on the clock to put the game on ice.
Matt Helwig led the Cardinals in scoring for the third straight game, achieving game-high totals of 31 poinrts and 12 rebounds, and made 14 of a career-high 16 free-throw attempts. Ethan Helwig finished with 16 points and Cupples finished with four assists.
Kratz came off the bench to pace the Eagles with 16 points and Agwomoh totaled 15 points and nine rebounds.
The Cardinals host Aurora University (1-3) Saturday at Gregory Arena, tipping off at 7:00 p.m.
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