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

DECATUR, Ill. (Jan. 28, 2023) - In a game punctuated by extended scoring runs the North Central College men's basketball team was outdueled down the stretch at the Griswold Center Saturday, losing by a 73-70 count to Millikin University.

The Cardinals (10-9, 5-6 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) used a 14-2 run to take a 64-53 lead with 5:47 remaining in the game before Millikin rallied and outscored the visitors, 20-6, the rest of the way to salvage a season split with North Central.

The Cardinals opened the contest with a 12-2 scoring surge over the first three minutes, during which each North Central starter scored. A step-back jumper by Ethan Helwig, a three-pointer from Shea Cupples, a jump shot by John Blumeyer, a triple by Brian Johnson and a jumper by Matt Helwig which bounced high off the rim before dropping through the net.

Millikin (10-10, 3-8 CCIW) recovered and went on a 17-6 scoring surge to take a 19-18 lead with 9:02 on the clock. Ethan Helwig and Matt Helwig followed with a three-pointer each to put North Central back in front, and the guests owned a 34-32 advantage by halftime.

Trailing, 51-50, midway through the second half, the Cardinals appeared to take the upper hand with a 14-2 surge which featured two three-pointers apiece by Matt Helwig and Nick Smoldt as well as an inside bucket by Mitch Lewis.

Millikin managed to take the lead on a three-pointer by Nate Straughter with 2:22 left. Straughter added a layup with 1:19 to go before Matt Helwig sank two free throws with one minute left to shave the hosts' lead to 68-67.

Straughter, however, connected on a step-back jumper and Demarcus Bond made two free throws to extend Millikin's advantage to 72-67 with 14 seconds left. Straughter was the game's high scorer with 22 points on 9 of 14 shooting.

Matt Helwig scored 16 points to lead the Cardinals while Lewis scored 14, Ethan Helwig 13 and Smoldt 10. Lewis was the team's top rebounder (7) and Matt and Ethan Helwig each had four assists.

North Central travels to face Carroll University (4-15, 1-9) Wednesday. Tipoff at Van Male Fieldhouse is set for 7 p.m.

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