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

NAPERVILLE, Ill (Feb. 8, 2023) - Holding Carthage College to 32% from the field and just 11% (3-for-25) from three-point range, the North Central College women's basketball team defeated the Firebirds 72-61 on Wednesday night inside Gregory Arena.

Natalie Stavropoulos tallied 13 points to pace the Cardinals as Megan Duffy added 11 points and eight rebounds with Megan McClure scoring 11. As a team, North Central shot 43% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc (9-for-18). Marianna Morrissey led all scorers with 25 points.

After Carthage scored the first eight points of the game, an old-fashioned three-point play from Mitrese Smith put North Central on the board. Allison Pearson knocked down a three to cut into the lead, 14-9. The Firebirds reopened their lead and held a 22-15 advantage after 10 minutes of action.

Molly Murray drained a three on the Cardinals' first possession of the second quarter before Sydney Erwin hit a jumper to put the score at 24-20. Carthage went on an 11-2 run to extend their lead back to 12. A Duffy three sparked a 10-2 run to close the half for North Central as the Firebirds held a slight 38-36 edge at the break.

Early in the third quarter, a layup from McClure evened the contest at 40 before a Duffy three-pointer gave the Cardinals their first lead of the game. North Central's defense stepped up as they held Carthage to just eight points in the third quarter. 

Entering the final 10 minutes of play with a 51-46 lead, Lexie Hernandez sunk a three to increase the Cardinals' lead to eight. After the Firebirds cut the lead to four, a 9-2 North Central run put the Cardinals in the driver's seat as they won 71-62 to earn their third CCIW win of the season.

The Cardinals complete their home stand on Saturday evening as they welcome Illinois Wesleyan University at 7 p.m. for senior night. The four seniors will be honored prior to tip-off and the 1983 National Championship women's basketball team will be celebrated at halftime.

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