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

Box Score

Jan. 26, 2022 - Using a strong stretch run to close out yet another hard-fought win, the North Central College men's basketball team took down Augustana College for the second time in 10 days, 73-68, at Gregory Arena.

The victory is the fifth straight for the Cardinals (12-5, 7-2 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin), who began their current streak by defeating Augustana, 86-82, on the Vikings' home court Jan. 17. 

Wednesday's game was also closely contested throughout as neither team led by more than five points. The score was tied nine times in the first half, and the teams went to halftime deadlocked at 37-37. The score was knotted for the final time at 57-57 with 6:49 remaining when Blaise Meredith sank a jumper from the right baseline and later scored a tip-in on an inbounds lob pass from Shea Cupples to put the Cardinals in front, 61-57, with 5:37 left.

Each of the next nine possessions resulted in points. Augustana's Tyler Knuth drilled a three-pointer, which was answered by Matthew Helwig's sweeping left-handed layup. Meredith scored the Cardinals' next seven points, converting two free throws, a pull-up three-pointer and a backdoor layup, to give the hosts a 70-66 lead with 3:16 left.

The Vikings (9-10, 4-6 CCIW) got an an inside basket from Nate Ortiz to close the gap to 70-68 with 2:49 to play, but Augustana was held scoreless the rest of the way. Helwig delivered the finishing move, a 24-foot three-pointer from just right of the free-throw circle, with 1:24 on the clock.

Meredith finished with a game-high 25 points on 9 of 15 shooting (4 of 7 from three-point range), while Helwig also shot 9 for 15 in scoring 20 points and Cupples made all four field-goal attempts to total 11 points. Ethan Helwig's six assists were a team high.

Ortiz was the Vikings' top scorer with 21 points, while Luke Johnson and Matt Hanushewsky each put up 11. 

The Cardinals host No. 18-ranked Wheaton College (15-4, 7-3) Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options. 

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