Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (Jan. 10, 2024) - Leading for the first three quarters of play, the North Central College women's basketball team was outscored by the Augustana College Vikings 29-14 in the fourth quarter to fall 67-59 on Wednesday night inside the Carver Center.
Megan McClure opened the scoring on a mid-range jumper, thanks to an assist from Elle Sutter. Grace Kieffer knocked down two three pointers before the first media timeout to put the Cardinals ahead, 10-2. The Vikings battled back as a pair of free throws from Sutter gave North Central a 15-12 lead after the first quarter.
Kaeli Ford hit a deep ball to open the second quarter, followed by a Jocelyn Trotter pull up jumper which grew the Cardinals' lead to eight, 20-12. After Augustana scored three baskets in a row, McClure made a three pointer to keep the score in North Central's favor. Trotter and Josilyn Simmons-Doxie capped off the 9-0 Cardinal run. Kennedy Hartwig made a layup with under 10 seconds left to push the North Central advantage to 10, 35-25.
The North Central defense stepped up by not allowing an Augustana field goal until the 1:17 mark in the third quarter. Sutter and McClure scored early on before the Vikings scored the final six points of the quarter.
With a 45-38 lead heading into the final 10 minutes, Kieffer hit a jumper to open the fourth quarter. Augustana did not go away as they closed the gap to five, 47-42 with just over seven minutes to play. Trotter scored two quick baskets to keep the Cardinals in command. A Sutter deep ball extended the North Central lead to double-digits. An 11-0 run from the Vikings gave them their first lead of the game, 55-54. McClure ended the Viking rally with another midrange jumper but Augustana kept their foot on the gas to close out the game on a 12-3 run and take a 67-59 win.
Trotter led the Cardinals with 15 points while Sutter totaled 13 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, three steals, and two assists. McClure also added 13 points and three assists. North Central shot 36% from the field and 22% from beyond the arc. Cali Papex led all scorers with 24 points on the night.
North Central looks to rebound against North Park University on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Gregory Arena.
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