Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Jan 17, 2022) - Scoring a season-high 75 points, the North Central College women's basketball team bested Augustana College 75-59 on Monday night inside of Gregory Arena.
Following a Viking's three-pointer to open the game, Mitrese Smith gave the Cardinals a 4-3 lead with 7:05 to play in the first quarter. Stephanie Kowalczyk pushed the lead to five with a layup before Allison Pearson put North Central ahead by eight, 16-8. Mitrese Smith hit two free throws to cap off the Cardinals' 14-4 run as North Central took a 21-14 advantage into the second quarter.
The Cardinals kept their foot on the gas by scoring the first nine points of the second quarter to extend their lead to 16. Augustana fought back but Jessica Kowalczyk knocked down a three with 3:08 to go in the half, putting the Cardinals up 35-22. The Vikings scored the final six points of the half to make the score 37-31 at the break.
Natalie Stavropoulos scored back-to-back buckets early in the third quarter, increasing the lead to nine, 42-33. Following a made free throw from IxChel Leeuwenburgh, Megan Duffy made her first three-pointer of the season. Closing out the quarter, North Central scored seven straight points, capped off with a three from S. Kowalczyk with four seconds to go.
Entering the final quarter of play with a 59-43 edge over Augustana, each team traded baskets for the first four minutes of play. The Vikings cut the lead to 10, forcing a North Central timeout. J. Kowalczyk answered with her third three-pointer of the night. The Cardinals outscored Augustana 11-5 over the final five minutes of action to secure the 75-49 win over Augustana.
North Central's bench outscored the Vikings' bench 30-3 in the game. Pearson led the Cardinals with 17 points and five assists. Smith added 13 points on 7-of-8 from the free-throw line while J. Kowalczyk scored 11 points. As the team, North Central shot 44% from the field and 82% from the free-throw line. Emily Brenneisen posted 14 points to lead Augustana.
The Cardinals are right back at it on Wednesday by hosting North Park for a CCIW showdown in Gregory Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 PM. You can find links to live coverage options HERE.
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