Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Jan 29, 2022) - Facing the Wheaton College Thunder for the second time this season, the North Central College women's basketball team fell 77-56 on Saturday night inside Gregory Arena.
Mitrese Smith put the Cardinals on the board early with a layup before Allison Pearson hit two free throws. Elle Sutter knocked down North Central's first three of the game with 4:55 to play in the opening quarter. After the Thunder took a four-point lead, Jessica Kowalczyk converted an old-fashioned three-point play to bring North Central back within one, 15-16. Wheaton added two points before the break as the Thunder led 18-15 after the first 10 minutes of play.
Wheaton used an 8-0 run to put themselves ahead 26-17 early in the second quarter. Both teams traded baskets the rest of the quarter as Wheaton held a 32-20 lead at halftime.
To open the third quarter, Natalie Stavropoulos scored a layup bringing the Cardinals within 10. After the Thunder scored, Pearson hit her first three-pointer of the game. Wheaton went on another 8-0 run, taking a 17-point lead. Early in the fourth quarter, Elle Sutter hit a pair of free throws for her fifth point of the night. Wheaton extended their lead to 23 with 6:13 to play in the game. The Thunder put the game away and won 77-56 for their 14th win of the season. North Central falls to 7-12 on the year and 4-6 in CCIW play.
Eleven different Cardinals scored as J. Kowalczyk led the team with 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists. As a team, North Central shot 31% from the field. Caroline Sikkink led all scorers with 21 points, adding to her nine rebounds. Wheaton shot 43% on the game and was 17/20 from the free-throw line.
North Central visits Carroll on Monday as they face the Pioneers for the first time this season. The Cardinals have won the last three games and won eight of the last 11 games in the series. Click HERE for live coverage options of that game.
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