Contact: Matthew Eaker, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, mreaker@noctrl.edu

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Dec. 10, 2022) - Competing against their third conference opponent this season, the North Central College men's basketball team found themselves on the wrong side of a tightly contested match as they fell to the Illinois Wesleyan University Titans 87-85 on Saturday night inside the Shirk Center. 

North Central jumped out to an early lead in the first half as Ethan Helwig knocked down a three-pointer but the Titans would respond, tying the game at three. Both teams went back and forth until the Cardinals went on an eight-point run as Brian Johnson knocked down two three-pointers to put the Cardinals up 17-8. The Titans took a three point lead before Nick Smoldt knocked down a three pointer and added a layup to give the Cardinals a 28-26 lead. The Cardinals would head into the break with a 49-45 following a 5-2 run which included a Mitch Lewis layup and an E. Helwig three-pointer. 

The Titans came out firing in the second half as they scored the first six points of the half, knocking down three jumpers to give them a 51-49 lead. The Titans six-point run was cut short after Matt Helwig knocked down a pair of jumpers to cut the Titan lead to four. The Titans lead fell to one as Shea Cupples knocked down a shot from beyond the arc but Illinois Wesleyan saw their lead increase to three with five minutes to go in the second half. The Cardinals found themselves down by eight with just under two minutes to play but after a five-point run by the Cardinals, the lead was cut to four. M. Helwig knocked down a pair of free throws to bring the Cardinals within two but a three-point attempt at the buzzer wasn't enough as the Cardinals fell to the Titans 87-85. 

Johnson led the team with 17 points while knocking down four three-pointers, followed by M. Helwig (15) and  Lewis (13). As a team, the Cardinals shot 50% and 46% from beyond the arc. Lucas Heflen led the Titans with 28 points, knocking down four three-pointers and shooting 10-15 from the field. The Titans shot 45% on the night. 

The Cardinals (4-5, 1-2 CCIW) are back in action on Saturday, Dec. 17 as they travel to Elmhurst University for battle with the Bluejays. Tip-off is set for 4:15 pm inside R.A. Faganel Hall. You can find links to in-game coverage 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.