Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

WHEATON, Ill. (Jan 15, 2022) - Playing a conference game for the first time in 29 days, the North Central College women's basketball team dropped a contest to Wheaton College 67-54 inside of King Arena on Saturday night.

Jessica Kowalczyk ended the Thunder 9-0 run to open the game with a three-pointer. Following a bucket from Mitrese Smith, Allison Pearson scored in the paint to bring the score to 16-8 after the first quarter. IxChel Leeuwenburgh made a layup early in the second quarter. The Cardinals closed the five straight points, taking a 33-19 deficit into the half.

A three from Elle Sutter brought North Central within 13 points before an Allison Pearson sparked a 12-2 Cardinal run. Stephanie Kowalczyk knocked down a three followed by a layup from Megan McClure as time expired to close the third quarter only down six, 50-44.

McClure opened the final quarter with a three-pointer closing the gap to one possession. J. Kowalczyk hit another bucket from beyond the arc to stop a 6-0 Wheaton rally. The Cardinals then went cold from the field, not scoring for the next six minutes as Wheaton would earn the 67-54 victory.

J. Kowalczyk ended with a season-high 19 points as she went 5/7 from deep. Allison Pearson scored eight points to add to her six assists on the night. As a team, the Cardinals shot 33% for the game. Annika Richardson scored a game-high 28 points to lead Wheaton. 

North Central is hosting Augustana on Monday evening at 7 PM inside of Gregory Arena to makeup their previous game that was postponed. 

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