Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
Nov. 18, 2023 - The North Central College men's basketball team was narrowly denied in its bid for its first win at home Saturday, as Anderson University narrowly escaped with a 68-66 victory in a nailbiter of a finish at Gregory Arena.
The Cardinals (1-3) held a 60-55 lead, the largest by either team in the second half, with 4:26 to play before Anderson scored six straight points in 54 seconds to take a 61-60 lead. Drew Gaston rebounded his own missed shot and drew a foul inside, sinking both free throws to give the hosts the lead briefly before the Ravens' Cam Smith scored in the paint on the next trip down the floor. Bryson Huckeby came up with a steal and knocked down a three-pointer to give the visitors a 66-62 edge with 1:55 left.
Ethan Helwig passed inside to Ken Thomas for two points, then connected for a jumper of his own with 55 seconds left to tie the score at 66-66. Following a timeout, Anderson went inside to Elijah Mattingly for a go-ahead bucket with 39 seconds on the clock. A missed Cardinal shot on the other end gave the Ravens (3-0) a chance to put the game away at the free-throw line, but Jordan Gadis missed the front end of a one-and-bonus opportunity to give North Central the final possession of regulation time. The hosts were able to get the ball to Thomas, but the attempt was off the mark.
Helwig opened the game with two straight three-pointers as the Cardinals led most of the first half. North Central took its first double-digit lead at 26-16 after Thomas scored twice in the lane and Gaston sank a three-pointer within 45 seconds. Anderson regrouped after a timeout and scored 14 straight points to move in front, 30-26, with 2:56 on the clock. Helwig pulled up for a three-pointer on the fast break to slow the Ravens' momentum, but the guests headed into halftime with a 37-34 edge.
Helwig led the Cardinals with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Thomas put up 10 points and six boards. Smith led all scorers with 19 points for the Ravens, who also got 15 from Mattingly, 13 from Huckeby and 10 from Tate Ivanyo.
North Central returns to competition Tuesday, making the quick trip to Lisle to take on Benedictine University in the annual Battle for Chicago/Maple Avenue. Tipoff at the Rice Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2023-2024 schedule and live coverage options.
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