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

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Nov.12, 2022) - Hosting the University of Chicago for their home opener, the North Central College women's basketball team dropped a non-conference contest SCORE on Saturday night inside Gregory Arena.

After Megan McClure and Mitrese Smith's baskets to cut the Maroon lead in half, 8-4. Chicago took a 10 point lead before Lexie Hernandex buried back-to-back three-pointers to force a Maroon timeout, to put the score at 14-10. They closed out the quarter on a 10-0 run to hold a 24-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Grace Keifer split a pair of free throws followed by an Allison Pearson three-pointer which brought the score to 26-14. Natalie Stavropoulos picked off a Maroon pass and scored a fastbreak layup with 4:35 left in the half. After Chicago answered with a layup, neither team scored over the final four minutes of the half as the Maroons led 32-16.

A layup from Stavropoulos cut the deficit to 12 before Chicago went on a 5-0 run. Hernandez knocked down another three later in the quarter with 18 seconds left as the Maroons found themselves ahead by 16, 48-32 with 10 minutes to play.

Baskets from Megan Duffy and Sydney Erwin followed by a three from Duffy cut the Maroons lead to 11 and force another Chicago timeout. Chicago answered with two three pointers followed by a jumper gave them an 18 point lead. The Maroons led the rest of the way to win 68-48.

Hernandez led the way for the Cardinals with nine points followed closely by Duffy with eight and Abby Davidson with seven. McClure dished out three assists and grabbed six rebounds.

The Cardinals are back in action as they travel to Aurora University on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.m inside Thornton Gymnasium.

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