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

KENOSHA, Wis. (Feb. 20, 2021) - A promising start did not pan out as hoped for the North Central College women's basketball team on Saturday, as the Cardinals were felled by the Carthage College Firebirds, 72-50, at Carthage's Tarble Arena.

North Central kept the hosts from making a shot from the floor in the first five minutes of play and took an early 7-2 lead. The Cardinals stayed in front until just before the end of the opening period, when Carthage's Kelsey Coshun scored inside to give the Firebirds an 11-10 lead at the first stop.

Owning a slim 13-12 lead early in the second period, Carthage (2-7) then went on a 9-2 run to take a 22-14 lead after a three-pointer from Margueret Spear and fast-break bucket by Amanda Larson on consecutive possessions. The Firebirds led by as many as 13 points before heading into halftime ahead, 35-25. The Cardinals closed to within six points early in the second half before the hosts pulled away for good.

North Central's leading scorer was Sadie Jurkovic, who put up eight points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes off the bench. Allison Pearson and Nikki Kwilosz each scored seven points and IxChel Leeuwenburgh grabbed 13 rebounds.

Carthage's Lauren Knight led all scorers with 13 points while also totaling seven assists. Coshun scored 11 points and Addison Ebeling scored 10.

North Central travels to face Illinois Wesleyan University (3-1) on Tuesday in a game rescheduled from Feb. 4. Tipoff at the Shirk Center is set for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options.

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