Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
KENOSHA, Wis. (Jan. 11, 2023) - Despite outscoring Carthage College 33-21 in the final quarter of play, the North Central College women's basketball team's comeback attempt fell just short as the Firebirds held on to win 77-72 on Wednesday night inside Tarble Arena.
The Cardinals shot 44% from the field, tying their best shooting performance this season. Four Cardinals' scored in double figures as Natalie Stavropoulos (18 points), Allison Pearson (15), Grace Kieffer (14), and Mitrese Smith (10) led the way. Marianna Morrissey paced the Firebirds with 17 points while Lauren Knight tallied 16.
Stavropoulos opened the game by converting an old-fashioned three-point play before Carthage went on a 14-1 run. Baskets from Pearson and Stavropoulos brought the Cardinals back within six, but the Firebirds scored the next seven points to take a 21-8 lead into the second quarter.
North Central responded as field goals from Stavropoulos started and capped off a 9-0 run to pull the Cardinals back into the game, down 26-20 with 4:38 to play in the half. The Firebirds closed out the half on a 10-2 run to hold a 36-22 advantage after 20 minutes of play.
Carthage extended their lead to 21 before Pearson and Kieffer posted an 8-0 run behind two threes from Pearson. The teams traded baskets for the rest of the quarter as a three-pointer from Megan Duffy set the score at 56-39 heading into the final quarter of play.
Down by 23, a jumper from Smith began a 15-2 run to cut the Cardinals' deficit to 10 with 3:47 left to play. Duffy knocked down two three points with under a minute left to bring North Central within five points, 74-69. The Firebird converted three of their four free throw attempts to close out the game and earn a 77-72 victory.
North Central returns home on Saturday as they host top-ranked Millikin University (12-3, 6-0 CCIW) at 2 p.m. inside Gregory Arena. The Cardinals beat the Big Blue in overtime in their most recent contest.
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