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

ELMHURST, Ill. (Dec. 17, 2022) - Winning their third straight game against the Bluejays, the North Central College women's basketball team used a 27-8 fourth quarter to surge ahead of Elmhurst University on Saturday afternoon in R.A. Faganel Hall for their first conference win of the season.

After Grace Kieffer steal on the Bluejays opening possession, Mitrese Smith capitalized on the other end with a fastbreak layup to score the first points of the game. A three-pointer from Kieffer put North Central in double digits and take a 10-4 advantage just three minutes into the game. Both teams traded baskets to close out the opening quarter with the Cardinals on top, 18-15. Lindsay Novak hit a three to give Elmhurst their first lead of the game but a pair of free throws from Smith gave North Central their lead back, 26-25. A pair of runs from each side found the contest tied at 34 at the half way mark.

Natalie Stavropoulos knocked down a jumper to begin the second half followed by an Allison Pearson three to spark a 7-2 Cardinals' run. Megan McClure's jumper in the paint with 4:57 left in the third quarter gave North Central a seven point lead, 49-42 before the Bluejays responded by taking a one point lead into the final quarter.

North Central used an 11-3 run early in the fourth quarter to reestablish the lead, 62-53 with 4:50 to play. The Cardinals went 12-for-12 from the free throw line down the stretch to pull away and win 76-58 over Elmhurst.

Smith led all scorers with a 23 point performance on her way to a double-double with 11 rebounds in the contest. Pearson (18 points), McClure (15), and Stavropoulos (13) each finished in double figures for the Cardinals. As a team, North Central shot 36 free throws, sinking 29. Taylor Harazin and Lindsay Novak led the Bluejays with 12 points each.

The Cardinals face Concordia Chicago on Monday at 3 p.m. inside Gregory Arena. North Central has won the past 11 games against the Cougars.

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