Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Jan. 14, 2023) - In a game highlighted by
Allison Pearson's 1,000th career point, the North Central College women's basketball team could not stave off the Millikin University Big Blue who overcame a 39-27 halftime lead from the Cardinals.
Pearson led the Cardinals with 14 points on the day with Megan Duffy (13 points) and Grace Kieffer (10) right behind. After shooting 53% in the first quarter, North Central cooled off to shoot 30% for the game. Last year's CCIW Player of the Year Elyce Knudsen led all scorers with 24 points.
Following an early 6-2 lead from Millikin, a layup from Megan McClure sparked a 19-3 run as five different Cardinals scored on the run to give North Central a 21-9 advantage. Duffy drained a three-pointer to give the Cardinals a 26-11 lead after one quarter.
Mitrese Smith hit a pair of free throws early in the second quarter before an old-fashioned three-point play from Duffy doubled the Big Blue's score, 34-17. With 2:51 to play in the half, Natalie Stavropoulos scored on a layup to push the lead to 18 before Millikin cut into North Central's lead as they took a 39-27 lead into the break.
A layup from Knudsen brought the score to 42-37 with 6:08 left in the third quarter. After Duffy's basket to increase the Cardinals' lead to seven, the Big Blue ended the third quarter on a 10-0 run to hold a 47-44 edge after 30 minutes of play. Millikin also scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter before Pearson converted all three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt. The Big Blue would hold onto their lead and end up with a 72-57 victory in Gregory Arena.
Pearson's fifth point of the game saw her become just the 12th Cardinal to eclipse 1,000 points. She is the first since 2009 when Brianne Parra scored her 1,000th career point.
North Central looks to rebound against Augustana College on Wednesday night as they host the Vikings inside Gregory Arena at 7 p.m.
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