Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Nov. 10, 2023) - Kicking off the 2023-24 season, the North Central College women's basketball team used 29 points from
Grace Kieffer to overcome a 10-point deficit to earn a 70-67 victory over Wisconsin Lutheran College on Friday night inside the Time of Grace Center.
Megan McClure opened the scoring with a pair of free throws before Kieffer converted an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Cardinals a 5-4 lead early in the first quarter. Kaeli Ford and McClure each knocked down a set of free throws. Josylin Simmons-Doxie hit a three to put North Central on top, 13-10.
After the Warriors tied the contest before the quarter ended, Kieffer made another three-pointer in the Cardinals' first possession of the second quarter. Wisconsin Lutheran went on a 10-2 run to take a 24-18 advantage with 1:55 left in the half. They extended that lead to eight with a 30-22 score at halftime.
McClure and Megan Duffy each hit a jumper to bring North Central within four, 30-26. The teams traded points until a Simmons-Doxie layup made the score 42-40. After the Warriors went up by five, Jovanna Martinucci scored with 13-seconds left in the third quarter to make the score 45-42 with 10 minutes to play.
With 7:52 left in the game, a three from Kieffer put the Cardinals back within two, 51-49. Following another deep ball from Kieffer, a layup from Duffy gave North Central their first lead of the second half. Duffy knocked down a free throw before Ford hit a jumper to extend the Cardinals' lead to four, 59-54. With 2:22 left to go, Duffy hit clutch three before the Warriors fought back within three points. North Central hit all six free throws down the stretch to put Wisconsin Lutheran away and secure a 70-67 victory.
The Cardinals were led by Keiffer's 29 points which included a perfect 5-of-5 night from three-point range followed by Duffy who recorded 10 points and six rebounds. As a team, North Central was 23-of-28 from the charity stripe. Biz Daly led the team with four assists on the night.
Kieffer tied a program record for three-point percentage with her 5-of-5 from beyond the arc performance.
North Central takes on Wartburg College tomorrow afternoon to close out the Paul F. Knueppel Classic. That game is set for 1 p.m. on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran.
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