Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
KENOSHA, Wis. (Jan. 24, 2024) - In an attempt to sweep the season series against Carthage College, the North Central College women's basketball team settled for a series split as the Firebirds earned a 67-42 win over North Central on Wednesday night inside Tarble Arena.
An Elle Sutter jumper began the scoring for North Central before Carthage took an 11-2 lead early on. Jocelyn Trotter stopped the Firebird run with a jump shot at the 4:42 mark in the opening quarter. Kaeli Ford scored a layup with under a minute left as Carthage held a 20-6 lead after one quarter.
Jovanna Martinucci and Trotter nailed back-to-back three-pointers before a Sutter steal and fastbreak layup brought the Cardinals back within single digits, 25-16. The Firebirds scored the final five points of the half to take a 33-18 advantage into the locker room.
Sutter knocked down a three in the first minute of play for the second half. Megan McClure and Martinucci led a 6-0run before Sutter hit a pair of free throws to make it a seven-point game, 36-29. The teams traded baskets until Carthage ended the quarter on a 9-1 run. Josilyn Simmons-Doxie scored the first points of the fourth quarter until the Firebirds posted another run to put away the Cardinals, 67-42.
Trotter led the Cardinals with 14 points, nine rebounds, two blocks, and two steals while Sutter added 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals. McClure grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with her six points. Lauren Knight led all scorers with 21 points.
North Central is back in action on Saturday as they visit North Park University hoping to complete that season sweep. The Cardinals beat the Vikings, 75-66 in Naperville earlier this season. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. inside of the North Park Gymnasium.
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