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

Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Feb. 6, 2021) - Despite enjoying a season-best shooting effort, the North Central College men's basketball team ran into an Illinois Wesleyan University squad which packed just as much ammunition Saturday at the Shirk Center. The Cardinals wound up on the short end of a 91-77 score to drop to 3-2 on the season.

North Central shot a season-high 56.0 percent (28 of 50) from the floor, including a 64.0 percent clip (16 of 25) in the opening half. The Titans countered with 53.3 percent marksmanship (16 of 30) while also owning a 38-24 rebounding advantage and putting the contest out of reach with a 10-2 scoring run midway through the second period.

A made jump shot by Blaise Meredith gave the Cardinals a 19-18 advantage with 12:40 remaining in the first period, but IWU (2-0) took charge over the next three minutes. The hosts made four straight three-point attempts during a 15-2 surge that put the Titans in front, 33-21. The lead never dipped below six points the rest of the period and IWU went into halftime with a 52-42 advantage.

The Cardinals threatened to rally early in the second half, as a jumper by Will Clausel and a driving layup by Meredith narrowed the gap to 57-50 and prompted an IWU timeout. Coming out of the stoppage, the Titans' Keondre Schumacher drilled a three-pointer to ignite an 8-0 rally that kept the hosts in front by double digits the rest of the way.

Clausel and Michael Pollack scored 18 points each to lead North Central, which also got 15 points apiece from Meredith and Matt Smietanski. Meredith also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and Smietanski totaled four assists.

Schumacher led all scorers with 23 points, making 7 of 8 three-pointers and 8 of 10 shots overall. Luke Yoder put up 13 points and Matthew Leritz added 10. 

The Cardinals are set to host Millikin University (0-4) on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the first of two straight games against the Big Blue. Click HERE for live coverage options.

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