Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
FOND du LAC, Wis. (Feb. 17, 2023) -Seizing control early and helping its cause with a rugged effort on the offensive glass, the North Central College men's basketball team ended its regular season Friday with a 79-57 victory over Marian University at Sadoff Gymnasium.
The Cardinals (14-11) extended their current win streak to three games heading into next week's College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament.
North Central took a lead it would hold the rest of the night after just three minutes of play and led, 10-5, before the Sabres (14-10) closed the gap to 11-10 with 14:30 on the first-half clock. The hosts were held scoreless for the next four minutes, during which time the Cardinals scored eight straight. Mitch Lewis and Shea Cupples each scored in the lane and Lewis sank two free throws before Terrance Moncrief closed the rally with a steal and assist to Erikas Gurskas for a layup.
Owning a 33-31 edge with 3:37 before halftime, the Cardinals held Marian scoreless the rest of the period and extended their lead to 40-31. Holding a 43-37 led early in the second half, North Central effectively ended the game with a two-minute surge dominated by Matt Helwig.
The senior zipped a pass to Cupples for a layup, buried a three-pointer and broke free for a dunk after a steal, extending the lead to 50-37 and causing Marian to call for time out. The visitors led by double figures the rest of the way.
Lewis made 4 of 6 field goals and 8 of 8 free throws for a game-high 16 points, while Cupples scored 14 and and Matt Helwig and Ethan Helwig each scored 11. Still the NCAA Division III national leader in free-throw percentage, North Central connected on 18 of 19 charity shots Friday (94.7 percent) while shooting an even 50 percent from the floor (27 of 54).
North Central owned a 35-21 rebounding advantage and scored 21 second-chance points from nine offensive boards. Erikas Gurskas grabbed a game-high seven rebounds, while Cupples and John Blumeyer each finished with four assists.
The Cardinals' opponent Tuesday, as well as the site of the game, will be determined Saturday.
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