Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
ELMHURST, Ill. (Feb. 5, 2022) - Playing in their final road contest of the season, the North Central College women's basketball team stormed past Elmhurst University
72-59 in a game where the Cardinals shot a season-best 47.6% from the field.
Both teams came out firing in the first quarter as an Allison Pearson three-pointer put the game at 8-8 just over two minutes in. Elle Sutter scored seven straight Cardinal points to give North Central a 17-11 edge. Pearson knocked down another three to give the Cardinals a 20-15 lead after 10 minutes of play.
Mitrese Smith opened the second quarter with a basket followed by Sutter. The Cardinals' defense held Elmhurst scoreless until the 5:55 mark while Sutter hit a jumper to give North Central their first double-digit lead, 27-17. The Cardinals closed the half on a 7-0 run, taking a 39-24 advantage into the break.
A free throw by IxChel Leeuwenburgh put the Cardinals up by 20, early in the third quarter. The Bluejays battled back to come within 12, but North Central responded by scoring the next six points. Each team traded baskets the rest of the quarter as the Cardinals held a 56-40 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
With 6:21 left in the game, Pearson hit a jumper to bring North Central's lead to 13 before Leeuwenburgh later pushed it to a 15 point advantage, 68-53. Jessica Kowalczyk and Sutter made free throws down the stretch to secure the 72-59 victory.
Sutter led the Cardinals for the third straight game as she tallied 17 points, adding to her five rebounds. Smith scored 12 points while Pearson (10 points, 12 rebounds) and Leeuwenburgh (10 points, 6 rebounds) each scored in double figures. Taylor Harazin posted 19 points to lead all scorers for the Bluejays.
North Central (8-14, 5-8 CCIW) hosts Millikin University (16-4, 10-1 CCIW) on Wednesday for a revenge game as the Big Blue won 75-69 in their previous matchup. Tip-off is set for 7 PM inside of Gregory Arena.
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