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

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Jan. 14, 2023) - Closing out the first half of conference play, the North Central College women's basketball team fell to the hands of Augustana College, 71-51 on Wednesday night inside Gregory Arena.

Natalie Stavropoulos led the Cardinals with 13 points and four assists with Grace Kieffer right behind at 12 points, four assists, and three steals. As a team, North Central shot 30% from the field. Gabriela Loiz topped all scorers with 18 points on the night.

Megan Duffy scored the first points for the Cardinals as she connected on a three-pointer, assisted by Kieffer. Allison Pearson split a pair of free throws to bring the Cardinals within four, 13-9. The Vikings scored the next six points as they took a 19-9 advantage into the second quarter.

Back-to-back baskets from Stavropoulos and Kieffer cut North Central's deficit to six, 21-15 with 6:51 to play in the first half. After Augustana took a 12-point lead, Pearson hit a jumper on the Cardinals' final possession of the half to put the score at 34-24 heading into the break.

Pearson knocked down a three to open the third quarter before Mitrese Smith scored a layup to bring the Cardinals within five. The teams traded baskets as a Lexie Hernandez three with 1:10 to play was the last basket of the third quarter as the Vikings held a slight 48-43 lead with 10 minutes to play.

Augustana scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to extend their lead with 5:48 to go. The Vikings kept their foot on the gas and earned a 71-51 victory over North Central.

The Cardinals begin a three-game road stretch as they face North Park University for the second time this season on Saturday at 2 p.m. Click HERE for live coverage links to that contest.

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