Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Dec. 21, 2021) - Putting together well-timed scoring runs late in both periods of play, the North Central College men's basketball team secured its second straight win Tuesday with an 84-73 victory at Kalamazoo College.

The Cardinals (6-3) never trailed in the contest and got another high-volume scoring effort out of Matt Helwig. The senior guard stung the Hornets for 30 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the floor and a perfect 10 of 10 at the free-throw line while also leading North Central in rebounds (9) and assists (4). Helwig has scored at least 30 points four times and led the Cardinals in scoring eight times in nine games.

North Central owned a 25-23 lead midway through the first half before outscoring the hosts, 10-0, over the next three minutes. Helwig contributed seven points to the rally, which left the Cardinals with a 35-23 advantage with 4:47 left in the period. Kalamazoo (3-8) was able to score the final six points of the half to narrow the gap to 41-35.

The Hornets cut the North Central advantage to one point twice in the second half, the last coming at 55-54 with 11:26 to play. Blaise Meredith provided some breathing room by scoring the games' next five points and the Cardinals held Kalamazoo scoreless for the final 3:27. Brian Johnson helped seal the win by knocking down four straight free throws in the final minute.

Ethan Helwig put up 20 points, while Meredith scored 18. Ty Horky was the high scorer for Kalamazoo with 27. 

The Cardinals travel to face Olivet College (Michigan) Tuesday, with tipoff at Cutler Event Center set for 2 p.m. Eastern time.

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