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

DECATUR, Ill. (Dec. 18, 2021) - Falling to 4-7 on the year, the North Central College women's basketball team lost to Millikin University on Saturday afternoon inside the Griswold Center, 69-75.

After Mitrese Smith opened the game with a bucket, she later hit a jumper to tie the contest at 4-4 with 7:12 to play in the first quarter. Allison Pearson knocked down a three-pointer to cap off a 9-2 Cardinal run. The Big Blue fought back and took a 21-16 lead into the second quarter.

Elle Sutter closed the gap to one with a basket early in the second quarter. North Central tied the game at 28 thanks to a Smith fastbreak layup with 5:29 to go. Pearson hit two free throws, giving the Cardinals a four-point lead before Millikin responded to go ahead 41-38 to end the half.

Millikin increased their lead to eight, but North Central answered by scoring the next seven points. With seconds remaining in the third quarter, Jordan Hildebrand scored in the paint as the Big Blue held a 60-56 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

Both teams traded baskets to start the quarter before Sutter hit Pearson for a three-pointer, bringing the Cardinals within two. With 2:35 left, Smith put the Cardinals down by one, but the Big Blue held on to win by four, 75-69.

Smith led the Cardinals with 18 points and eight rebounds while Pearson added 12. Sutter totaled 10 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. North Central shot 46% from the field and a season-high 42% from the three-point arc. Bailey Coffman posted a game-high 19 points to lead Millikin. As a team, they shot 42% and knocked down 14 free throws compared to the Cardinals' seven.

North Central is idle until Jan. 31st when the Cardinals welcome Aurora to Gregory Arena for a non-conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 2 PM.

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