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

CHICAGO, Ill. (Feb. 3, 2022) - Posting a career-high, Elle Sutter's 29 points weren't enough as the North Central College women's basketball team lost to North Park University 74-59 on Thursday evening.

Sutter kicked off the scoring for the Cardinals by knocking down a three-pointer early in the first quarter. The Vikings responded with an 8-0 run before Jessica Kowalczyk hit a jumper. North Park held a 19-5 advantage after 10 minutes of play.

After a block and rebound on the defensive end, Sutter scored in transition before hitting another three to shrink the Cardinals deficit to 11 points, 21-10. North Park answered to take an 18 point lead with 5:18 left in the second quarter. Sutter and IxChel Leeuwenburgh scored before the half ended but the Vikings took a 36-16 lead into the break.

North Park notched the first six points of the third quarter, but Sutter scored from deep to stop the Vikings' run. Later, Leeuwenburgh scored on back-to-back Cardinal possessions with 1:23 left to play in the quarter. J. Kowalcyk hit a jumper as time expired with North Park on top 53-31.

Each team traded baskets to start the fourth quarter before the Cardinals scored 10 of the next 12 points to close the gap to 17 points. Sutter used five points in a row to bring North Central within 11 with 1:38 left to play. Natalie Stavropoulos knocked down a jumper to cut the deficit to nine points, but North Park hit their free throws down the stretch to win 74-59.

Both Sutter (29 points, 10 rebounds) and Leeuwenburgh (11 points, 10 rebounds) recorded a double-double on the night while Stavropoulos and J. Kowalczyk added six points each. Esther Miller scored 25 points to lead the Vikings as Jayla Johnson (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Chantel Hairston (11 points, 14 rebounds) also tallied double-doubles.

North Central faces Elmhurst on Saturday in their final road contest of the season. Tip-off is set for 2 PM in R.A. Faganel Hall. 

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