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

Box Score

ELMHURST, Ill. (Feb. 5, 2022) - Keeping pace in a back-and-forth battle until a pair of ill-timed offensive droughts, the North Central College men's basketball team lost an 86-67 decision Saturday at Elmhurst University's R.A. Faganel Hall. 

The first half saw four ties and 10 lead changes as each team took the other's best shot. Trailing, 42-38, the Cardinals (13-7, 8-4 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) got a three-pointer from Blaise Meredith to cut the lead to a single point. Elmhurst's Jay Militello made two free throws at the other end, but Matthew Helwig scored in the paint just before the buzzer to leave North Central with just a 44-43 deficit at the break.

Helwig scored twice in the lane to start the second half as well, but a three-minute scoreless stretch opened the door for the Bluejays (16-5, 8-4 CCIW) to score eight straight points and pull ahead, 56-47. Following a timeout, Meredith connected again from three-point range to stop the run. Shea Cupples came up with a steal and got the ball to John Blumeyer for a layup in the open court to narrow the gap to 56-52 with 14:35 to play.

Another two-minute cold snap proved to be too much for the visitors to bear, as Elmhurst's Jake Rhode sank a trio of three-pointers in 66 seconds to stretch the home team's lead to 69-54. The Bluejays led by double figures the rest of the way.

Meredith continued his current run of strong play with a game-high 25 points and a team-best eight rebounds. He made a season-high six three-pointers on 11 attempts and has now scored at least 20 points in five of North Central's last seven games. Matthew Helwig scored 14 points and Ethan Helwig finished with 12.

Rhode was Elmhurst's top scorer with 18 points. Wesley Hooker scored 16 points and Lavon Thomas totaled 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Cardinals return to action Monday, hosting Millikin University (12-8, 7-4). Tipoff at Gregory Arena is set for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage options. 

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