Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324
ELMHURST, Ill. (Jan. 6, 2024) - Taking on their third ranked opponent of the season, the North Central College men's basketball team came within two points of No. 17 Elmhurst University late in the second half, but ultimately fell 82-70 on Saturday evening.
Ken Thomas opened the game with a layup, off of the feed from Drew Gaston. Thomas scored eight of the Cardinals' first 10 points as North Central held a slight 10-9 edge, five minutes into the game. After a 6-0 run from the Bluejays, Ethan Helwig scored five quick points to tie the game a 17. Elmhurst opened up a 28-19 lead before Helwig and Gaston cut the deficit to three, 28-25. The teams traded baskets to end the half before the Bluejays used a run to take a 42-33 lead after 20 minutes of play.
Elmhurst began the second half with six straight points as the Bluejays led by 19 points with 13 minutes to play. A 6-0 run from the Cardinals kept them in the game as a Sean Molloy layup forced an Elmhurst timeout. Helwig's 20th point of the game came from beyond the arc to bring North Central within 11. Gaston converted an old-fashioned three-point play to bring the Cardinals within single-digits, 64-56.
A 12-2 run put North Central back within a one possession game, 64-62 before the Bluejays went on an 8-0 run to take a 72-62 lead. The teams went back and forth as Elmhurst made free throws down the stretch to hold off North Central, 82-70.
Helwig led the Cardinals with 22 points and nine rebounds. Thomas added 16 points with five rebounds while Gaston tallied 10 points, four assists, four rebounds, and two steals. John Ittounas scored a game-high 23 points to lead Elmhurst who had three players with 20 or more points. Both teams shot 47% from the field, but the Bluejays used a 17-20 mark from the free throw line compared to the Cardinals' 3-3 performance at the charity stripe.
North Central hosts North Park University on Wednesday evening for a CCIW showdown. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside Gregory Arena.
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