Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. (Dec. 6, 2022) - A run of cold shooting came at the worst possible time for the North Central College men's basketball team Tuesday, as the Cardinals lost a 65-55 non-conference decision at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

After carrying a 34-29 advantage into halftime, North Central (4-4) managed to connect on just 8 of 27 shots (29.6 percent) in the second period and went more than five minutes near the end of the night without a field goal. 

The Cardinals kept Platteville (5-4) scoreless for the final 3:21 of the first half, during which time Mitch Lewis scored inside and Matt Helwig sank a three-pointer to account for the visitors' halftime lead. North Central still led, 46-42, with 11:42 to play before the hosts scored seven straight to pull in front.

Brian Johnson's layup slowed the Pioneers' momentum only briefly, as Platteville got a layup from Julian Samuels and a three-pointer from Ben Probst before Helwig pulled up for a three-pointer from the right wing with 5:34 left. 

Helwig's triple was North Central's last bucket until the final seconds of the game, during which time the Pioneers scored 11 unanswered points.

Helwig lead the Cardinals with 18 points and five rebounds while Lewis, a transfer in the lineup for the first time, scored 10 points in 14 minutes off the bench.

North Central returns to College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play Saturday, traveling to face Illinois Wesleyan University (4-3). Tipoff at the Shirk Center is set for 7:15 p.m.

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