Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
WHITEWATER, Wis. (Nov. 19, 2022) - Doing battle down to the wire for a second straight contest, the North Central College men's basketball team prevailed in pulse-pounding fashion Saturday, winning an 87-86 nail-biter at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The Cardinals (3-1) fought off a frantic late rush by the hosts, defending against a pair of last-second shots to preserve the win in the first meeting between the teams since 2013.
North Central held an 87-79 advantage with 1:12 to play following Ethan Helwig's fifth three-pointer of the night. The Warhawks' Jameer Barker ignited the comeback effort by assisting Carter Capstran on a layup, then coming up with a steal and feeding Miles Barnstable for a three-pointer. The Warhawks slashed the deficit to 87-84 in just 14 seconds.
The Cardinals ran the shot clock down but were unable to convert, and Barker was fouled on the other end. Barker sank two free throws to close the gap to 87-86 with 11 seconds left. Just two ticks later, Barker nabbed his fifth steal of the night to give Whitewater the game's final possession.
Capstran's layup attempt was off the mark, but the Warhawks wound up with one more shot just before the buzzer. Barnstable got another look from three-point range but was unsuccessful.
After trailing, 45-41, at halftime, the Cardinals quickly took the lead and stayed in front most of the second half. North Central pulled in front initially on Brian Johnson's three-pointer with 18:47 to play.
Facing a 49-46 deficit with 17:13 on the clock, the visitors strung together nine straight points including seven in a 34-second lightning round. Nick Smoldt scored on a pass from Johnson, then came up with a steal and fed Helwig for a three-pointer. Matt Helwig then stole the ball from Barnstable and scored two of his game-high 28 points.
The Cardinals shot 57.9 percent (33 of 57) from the floor, including a season-best 63.2 percent (12 of 19) effort from three-point range. Matt Helwig also finished with a team-high six assists, while Ethan Helwig registered a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double. Smoldt made 6 of 6 field-goal attempts for a season-high 15 points.
North Central plays its first home game of the young season Tuesday, hosting Benedictine University (1-3) in the annual Battle of Chicago/Maple Avenue. Tipoff at Gregory Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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