Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Dec. 15, 2021) - The North Central College women's basketball team fell to the hands of Illinois Wesleyan University on Wednesday evening as the Cardinals were outscored 42-24 in the second half to fall to 4-6 on the year.

Elle Sutter scored the first five points for North Central to put the Cardinals ahead 5-2 early in the contest. After the Titans regained the lead, Jessica Kowalczyk knocked down a three-pointer to give North Central a 14-13 edge with 2:23 to go. To close out the quarter, Megan McClure scored a fastbreak layup as North Central held a 20-17 advantage after 10-minutes of play.

IxChel Leeuwenburgh scored a bucket to open the second quarter before Mitrese Smith scored a field goal to push the Cardinals' lead to seven, 24-17. A jumper from Sutter pushed North Central ahead 29-19. The Titans responded with an 11-2 run as a basket from McClure with four-seconds left gave the Cardinals a 35-32 lead heading into the break.

Illinois Wesleyan retook the lead with 5:48 to play in the third quarter with a 7-0 rally of their own. Kowalczyk used a Titan turnover and basket to close the gap to four before they hit a three as time expired to close out the quarter.

The Titans scored five points in the first minute of the final quarter to extend their lead to 12. Back-to-back baskets from North Central put the score at 55-49 with 7:53 to play. A 12-0 run from Illinois Wesleyan in the fourth quarter put the Cardinals away as they won 74-59.

Sutter recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds to post her first double-double of the season. McClure added 10 points while Kowalczyk (9), Allison Pearson (8), and Natalie Stavropoulos (6) were the top five scorers for North Central. As a team, they shot 44% and 33% from distance.

Kate Palmer led the Titans in scoring with 19, followed by Brooke Lansford with 17. Mallory Powers scored seven points to add to her 16 rebounds. Illinois Wesleyan shot 46% from the field in the game.

North Central visits Millikin on Saturday with a tip-off set for 2 PM. You can click here for live coverage options.

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