Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Dec. 30, 2023) - Taking on Aurora University in their final game of 2023, the North Central College women's basketball team used season-high scoring outputs from
Elle Sutter (21 points) and
Megan McClure (20 points) to earn a 75-67 win on Saturday afternoon inside Gregory Arena.
A Sutter layup put the Cardinals ahead by five, 9-4 early on before she knocked down a deep ball with just two minutes left in the opening quarter. The Spartans scored five quick points before the teams traded free throws with just over a minute to go. North Central held a slight 16-15 lead after the first quarter.
McClure's jumper sparked an 11-2 Cardinal run to put North Central on top, 31-21. Aurora closed the half on a 4-0 run to give the Cardinals a 31-25 advantage at the break.
After the Spartans hit a three to begin the third quarter, Sutter, McClure, and Grace Kieffer contributed to a 10-0 run that took under two minutes of gameplay. The teams exchanged baskets before Biz Daly converted an old-fashioned three-point play to put North Central on top, 51-34. Jocelyn Trotter scored in the paint with just over a minute to go in the quarter as the Cardinals held a 57-43 lead with just 10 minutes to play.
A quick Aurora run put them within striking distance, 59-52 before Megan Duffy knocked down a clutch three-pointer to keep North Central's lead to double-digits, 64-54. Free throws down the stretch from Jovanna Martinucci, Trotter, and Sutter clinched the win for North Central. The Cardinals are 6-7, tying the win total from a season ago.
Sutter filled the stat sheet with 21 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks. McClure scored 20 points along with six rebounds and two steals. Martinucci tallied five steals while Keiffer recorded four. As a team, the Cardinals shot 41% from the field while holding Aurora to a 34% mark. Macy Kocen led the Spartans with 13 points.
North Central closes out their six-game homestand with their fourth-ranked matchup of the season. They host No. 13 Millikin University to begin a stretch of 12 straight conference games. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
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