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

WAUKESHA, Wis. (Jan 21, 2022) - Seeing Carroll University for the first time this season, the North Central College women's basketball team lost to the hands of the Pioneers 42-75 on Monday night.

Mitrese Smith scored the first four points for the Cardinals before IxChel Leeuwenburgh used a fastbreak layup to make the score 6-8 early in the first quarter. The Pioneers followed that up with 10 straight points as they would lead 20-10 after the first 10 minutes of play.

After Allison Pearson scored on a layup, Elle Sutter hit a three-pointer to close the gap to seven, 24-17. Following a few baskets from each team, Leeuwenburgh sparked a 6-0 run for the Cardinals to bring them within three but Carroll answered to take a 32-25 edge into halftime.

Looking to post a second-half comeback, Smith and Pearson each scored to make the score 34-30, but the Pioneers responded with a 13-2 run to push the lead to 15. Pearson knocked down her second three of the game as Carroll held a 53-37 advantage after three quarters. Sutter hit a three with 5:51 to play but the Pioneers closed out the game with a 22-5 fourth quarter as they improved to 14-5 and 6-5 in conference play. North Central falls to 7-13 with a 4-7 CCIW record.

Sutter recorded 14 points and nine rebounds while Pearson scored 10 points with six rebounds. Olivia Rangel led all scorers with 16 points as Elizabeth Behrndt posted a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) for the Pioneers.

North Central visits North Park on Wednesday in another important CCIW game. Tip-off is set for 7 PM inside of North Park Gymnasium in Chicago. To see North Park's spectator policy, click HERE.

Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.