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

Box Score

Jan. 31, 2022 - Firing on all cylinders offensively from the outset and steadily pulling away, the North Central College men's basketball team made quick work of North Park University Monday, cruising to a 90-59 win over the Vikings at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals (13-6, 8-3 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) connected on 60.4 percent of their field-goal attemmpts (32 of 53) and shot a sizzling 57.1 percent from three-point range (12 of 21). The hosts took the lead for good midway through the first half and led by as many as 35 points late in the game.

Ethan Helwig and Terrance Moncrief opened the game with back-to-back three-pointers, but North Park (8-10, 3-7 CCIW) bounced back to pull in front, 12-11, after six minutes of play. Helwig tipped in his own missed shot, then sank a three-pointer to put the hosts back in front before Matthew Helwig scored six straight points to extend the lead to 22-16. 

Blaise Meredith gave North Central its first double-digit lead at 31-20 following two made free throws with 5:46 left in the half. The Cardinals led, 44-30, at halftime and extended the lead to 55-35 after five minutes in the second period. The hosts made 18 of 27 field-goal attempts (66.7 percent) in the final 20 minutes.

Meredith finished with game-high totals of 26 points and 10 rebounds, making 8 of 14 shots from the floor. Matthew Helwig totaled 19 points and Ethan Helwig finished with 16.

Gabe Johnson led the Vikings with 14 points and six rebounds and Izaiah Sanders made 5 of 6 shots for 10 points.

The Cardinals host Millikin University (11-8, 6-4) Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options. 

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