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

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Feb. 12, 2022) - Hosting Carroll University in their final home game of the regular season, the North Central College men's basketball team led the entire second half to earn their 10th College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) win of the season.

Each team traded baskets early on before a three-pointer from Ethan Helwig put the Cardinals on top, 13-11. A jumper from John Blumeyer gave North Central a four-point edge with 9:05 to play in the opening half. Carroll responded by tying the game at 24 before North Central took a four-point lead on a three-pointer from Terrance Moncrief with under a minute to go in the first half.

Matthew Helwig hit a pair of free throws to give North Central their largest lead of the game to that point, a 37-30 advantage early in the second half. The two teams went back-and-forth until Matthew Helwig converted a four-point play as the Cardinals had their first double-digit lead of the game, 51-41.

With 6:28 to play, Ethan Helwig sparked an 11-0 run for North Central to put the Cardinals in the driver's seat, 66-47. All five seniors saw the floor as Colin Flowers scored his first points in a Cardinal uniform. North Central controlled the game the rest of the way to earn a 68-53 win over the Pioneers to extend their winning streak over Carroll to six in a row.

Matthew Helwig led the way with 21 points and seven rebounds. Ethan Helwig added 15 while Blaise Merideth scored 14 points. As a team, North Central shot 46% from the field. Aaron Wafford posted 13 points to lead the Pioneers in the scoring department.

The Cardinals visit No. 9 Illinois Wesleyan in their final game of the regular season. Tip-off is set for 7 PM inside of Shirk Center.
 
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