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

Box Score

Feb. 20, 2021 - The North Central College men's basketball team wiped out a 15-point first-half deficit but fell short in its bid to record a second straight win over Carthage College on Saturday, rallying to take the lead briefly before coming out on the short end of a 71-68 count against the Firebirds at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals (5-4) dug themselves out of an early hole with the help of some prolific perimeter shooting, making a season-high 14 three-point shots (the eighth-highest total in the program's history) on 37 attempts (the third-highest all-time). North Central made four straight threes, two from Michael Pollack and two from Brian Johnson, to cut a 24-9 Carthage lead to a 28-21 disadvantage in just over four minutes.

The hosts outscored the Firebirds (4-5), 7-2, over the final three minutes of the first half and narrowed the gap to 35-30 by halftime. A jump shot by Will Clausel and a three-pointer by Matthew Helwig helped the Cardinals tie the score at 47-47, and a Clausel layup with 13:35 to play gave North Central its first lead since the early going at 50-49.

Helwig pulled up for a three-pointer on the fast break to extend the Cardinals' lead, but Carthage responded with an 11-3 run over the next five minutes to pull back in front, 60-56. Facing a 66-63 deficit in the final minute, the Firebirds beat the shot clock with a three-pointer by Kyle Czerak to deal the knockout blow to the comeback effort.

North Central did close the gap to a single point one final time following two free throws by Blaise Meredith with six seconds to play, but Carthage's Josh Washburn made two of his own to force a long-distance three-point attempt for the Cardinals to force overtime, which fell short.

Helwig led the Cardinals with 18 points, while Johnson scored a career-high 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Both players went 5 for 9 from three-point range. Clausel totaled 11 points and Matt Smietanski finished with five assists.

Washburn led all scorers with 21 points, while Fillip Bulatovic provided 15 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and three steals.

The Cardinals travel to face No. 5-ranked Wheaton College (9-0) on Thursday. Tipoff at King Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options.

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