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

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Dec. 3, 2022) - Hosting their first conference game of the season, the North Central College women's basketball team dropped the contest 75-52 to North Park University on Saturday evening inside Gregory Arena.

After the Vikings jumped out to a 7-0 lead, Abby Davidson knocked down a pair of free throws for the Cardinals' first points of the game. Grace Kieffer hit a three-pointer with 2:55 left in the opening quarter to bring the score to 13-7 before Mitrese Smith sunk a free throw. After 10 minutes of play, North Park held an 18-12 lead. 

With 6:51 left in the half, Davidson scored a basket in the paint as the Vikings still led, 28-15. Kieffer knocked down a three followed by an Allison Pearson jumper and layup from Natalie Stavropoulos to cut the deficit to eight, 30-22. Megan McClure capped off North Central's 9-0 run with a layup. The Vikings answered to take  a 4-26 lead into halftime.

Kieffer opened the half with another deep ball before Pearson brought the Cardinals' within nine, 40-31. Megan Duffy split a pair of free throws with 6:11 left in the third quarter. The Vikings opened up a 14-point lead as the teams traded points as North Park maintained their lead, 54-44 after 30 minutes of action. The Vikings extended their lead to 23 on their way to a 75-52 victory.

Kieffer and Smith tallied 11 points to pace the Cardinals with McClure at eight points and seven rebounds. As a team, North Central shot 31% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc. Victoria Perry led all scorers with 24 points.

The Cardinals visit Illinois Wesleyan University on Saturday evening. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. inside the Shirk Center.

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.