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

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Nov. 18, 2023) - Outscoring Saint Mary's (Ind.) 22-14 in the third quarter put the North Central College women's basketball team in the driver's seat on their way to a 75-55 victory over the Belles on Saturday night inside Gregory Arena.

Kaeli Ford began the game with a layup on the Cardinals' first possession. She scored back-to-back buckets in the paint to put North Central ahead, 8-4 early in the contest. After the Belles tied it, the Cardinals scored the next five points as they held a 17-14 advantage after 10 minutes of action.

Again St. Mary's tied the game before Megan Duffy, Grace Kieffer, and Jocelyn Trotter gave North Central a five-point advantage. Kennedy Hartwig knocked down the lone three-pointer in the first half for the Cardinals to extend the lead to seven. Following a Belle basket, Trotter hit a layup as time expired as North Central held onto a 33-26 lead at the break.

Megan McClure, Kieffer, and Duffy each sank a deep ball early in the third quarter to give the Cardinals a 12-point advantage, 42-30. The teams traded baskets until Trotter hit a three-pointer to put North Central ahead by 17. 

Keeping their foot on the gas in the fourth quarter, Hartwig hit another three followed by a fastbreak bucket with 7:07 to go. A Kiera Hunt jumper gave the Cardinals a 25-point advantage as they cruised to a 75-55 win over St. Mary's, their largest win since the 2021 season.

Ford led all scorers with 20 points while Trotter recorded a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double. Hartwig scored 12 points while Kieffer added eight. Kieffer and Jovanna Martinucci each dished out four assists. The Cardinals held the Belles to just 31% from the field.

North Central takes the short trip over to Benedictine University (0-3) on Tuesday night. That game is set to begin at 5 p.m. inside of the Rice Center.

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