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

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Jan 24, 2022) - Winning their second straight College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) game, the North Central College women's basketball team rolled to a 72-50 win over Elmhurst University on Monday evening inside Gregory Arena. 

Natalie Stavropoulos kicked off the game with a layup before the Bluejays answered with a three-pointer. From there the Cardinal defense held Elmhurst scoreless for over nine consecutive minutes while IxChel Leeuwenburgh capped off a 17-0 Cardinal run as North Central carried a 19-3 advantage after the opening quarter.

Elle Sutter knocked down a three-pointer early in the quarter before Leeuwenburgh scored in the paint once again. Allison Pearson put the Cardinals up by 21 on a jumper with 4:43 left in the first half. Each team traded baskets until Stavropoulos and Megan McClure closed out the half with baskets, taking a 42-20 lead into the break.

After each team made a field goal, the Cardinals scored five of the next six points before Sutter hit another three to give North Central a 54-28 lead. Both teams were held without a bucket until Elmhurst scored at the end of the third quarter. 

Stopping a 6-0 run from Elmhurst, Mitrese Smith knocked down a shot with 6:43 left to play. Stephanie Kowalczyk gave North Central their largest lead of the contest on a layup, putting the score at 70-41. Lexie Hernandez scored with 2:36 left as the Cardinals secured the 72-50 victory over Elmhurst as they improve to 7-10 and 4-4 in CCIW play.

Sutter led all scorers with 21 points while Leeuwenburgh racked up 15 points and nine rebounds. Pearson tallied 14 points to add to her five assists. North Central shot 46% on the night. Marissa Urso scored 13 points to lead the Bluejays.

The Cardinals keep busy by visiting Augustana (7-10, 1-7 CCIW) on Wednesday evening at 7 PM. North Central defeated the Vikings 75-59 in their most recent matchup. Click HERE for live video and stats.

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