Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Dec. 31, 2021) - Facing Aurora University for the first time since 2013, the North Central College women's basketball team came up one basket short against the Spartans on Friday afternoon in Gregory Arena, falling 63-62.
Elle Sutter kicked off the Cardinal scoring with a three-pointer, just a minute into the contest. Megan McClure knocked down her second three of the season to put North Central ahead by three, 9-6. Aurora scored nine of the next 11 points to take a 15-11 lead into the second quarter.
After the Spartans went up by seven, Sutter hit another three to close the gap to four, 20-16 with 7:17 left in the first half. The Cardinals used a basket from Abby Cox to retake the lead before an Allison Pearson three-pointer gave North Central a 30-26 advantage. Aurora responded to tie the game at 30-30 heading into halftime.
Following a bucket from Aurora, Natalie Stavropoulos knotted the contest at 32 apiece. McClure later retook the lead for the Cardinals with a layup. Stephanie Kowalczyk got out in transition for a fastbreak basket with 1:58 to play in the third quarter. Aurora answered with a 7-0 run to end the quarter.
In the final 10-minutes of action, both teams traded baskets until McClure put the Cardinals ahead by four, 55-51 with 5:30 to play. With under three minutes to go, Sutter hit a jumper to give North Central a one-point lead, 57-56. Victoria Perry of Aurora converted an and-one, giving the Spartans a 58-57 edge with 45-seconds left. Pearson responded with an old-fashioned three-point play of her own.
With 27-seconds left, Julie Galauner, Aurora's all-time leading scorer knocked down two free throws before Pearson scored another basket with 21-seconds left, putting North Central ahead 62-61. Eliot Dojutrek scored the final bucket of the game for Aurora with 15-seconds left as the Spartans held on to win 63-62.
Pearson led the Cardinals with 15 points and six assists, adding to her six rebounds. She moves into 10th-place all-time in career three-pointers made with 116 and ninth all-time in career assists with 184 over her four years. Sutter totaled 12 points and four rebounds while McClure posted 11 points and four rebounds. Gleaner led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds for Aurora.
North Central is back in action on Wednesday as they host Augustana College (7-5, 1-2 CCIW) for a conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 7 PM and you can find links to live coverage options HERE.
Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.
