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

LISLE, Ill. (Nov. 21, 2023) - The North Central College women's basketball team used a 30-15 second half to pull away from the Benedictine University Eagles on Tuesday night inside the Rice Center to win 63-51.

Grace Kieffer knocked down a three-pointer to knot the game at 5-5 early in the opening quarter. To give the Cardinals their first lead of the game, Kieffer hit a jumper before Megan McClure put North Central on top, 11-9. The teams traded baskets until the Eagles went on a 6-0 run to take a 21-17 lead into the second quarter.

North Central responded with a run of their own as Biz Daly scored two buckets over the six-point swing. Kennedy Hartwig gave the Cardinals a three-point lead with a deep ball before the Eagles scored the final six points of the half to take a 36-33 lead into the break.

The Cardinals kept the game close as McClure scored a fastbreak layup thanks to a steal from Keiffer. Katie Schaible sank a three to bring North Central within one, 40-39. After 30 minutes of play, the Eagles led, 42-41.

Kaeli Ford opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a basket to put the Cardinals on top for the first time in the second half. Ford's second field goal of the quarter sparked a 10-0 run for the Cardinals while holding the Eagles scoreless over a span of nearly seven minutes. A jumper from McClure put North Central ahead by 12, 57-45 with 2:58 to play. McClure and Kieffer hit free throws down the stretch to secure the Cardinal victory, 63-51.

Daly led all scorers with 15 points and eight rebounds while McClure totaled 11 points with five rebounds. Megan Duffy dished out five assists on the night. In total, North Central shot 38% from the field with a 57% mark in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals' bench outscored the Eagles' bench 32-5 in the contest. Benedictine shot just 22% in the second half. 

North Central takes on No. 22 University of Chicago on Sunday afternoon. That matchup is set to take place at 2 p.m. inside the Ratner Athletics Center.

Download the free North Central Cardinals app, available for iOS and Android devices, to receive up-to-the-minute news, scores and updates on your favorite North Central teams. Click HERE for more information.