Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

WALLA WALLA, Wash. (Nov. 15, 2024) - Emerging victorious after a back-and-forth battle down the home stretch, the North Central College men's basketball team remained unbeaten on the young season Friday with a 73-72 buzzer-beating victory over Whitman College at the Sherwood Athletic Center.

The last three minutes of Friday's game saw six lead changes, as Whitman's Gabe Latkovich gave the hosts a 72-71 edge with a short jumper in the lane with just 6.9 seconds to play. Following a timeout, the Cardinals' Terrance Moncrief took the inbound pass and drove the length of the floor, scoring a driving layup just before the buzzer sounded to give the visitors the victory.

The last-second basket capped off a night which saw Moncrief establish collegiate career highs in points (21) and rebounds (9) while also totaling a game-high five assists. Moncrief has led the Cardinals in scoring in each of its first two games this season.

The Cardinals (2-0) enjoyed a strong start for the second consecutive game, owning an 11-2 advantage after six minutes of play as Whitman made just one of its first nine shots from the floor. Terrance Moncrief scored five points in the early surge while Tyler Swierczek and Sean Molloy both knocked down three-pointers.

After missing their first six three-points shots, the Blues (1-1) bounced back to make five straight from beyond the arc. The hosts pulled in front at 20-17 on Ali Efe Isik's three-pointer before a triple from Grant Hunt on the next possession to extend the lead to 23-17. Drew Gaston broke up the rally by drawing a foul on a drive to the basket and sinking two free throws with 6:28 on the first-half clock.

Gaston wound up igniting a 10-0 Cardinal run, as Ethan Helwig connected from three-point range before Moncrief's layup in transition put North Central back in front, 24-23. Another Helwig three-pointer from the right wing pushed the visitors' lead to 27-23 with 4:32 left in the period.

Whitman's Jacob Fotu tied the score at 28-28 by sinking a three-pointer with 2:34 remaining, though the Cardinals quickly moved back in front with a free throw by Moncrief and a jump shot by Alejandro Diaz and wound up carrying a 35-32 advantage into halftime. 

North Central stayed in front early in the second half before Latkovich scored in the lane to tie the score at 47-47. Alex Pape connected from three-point range on the next trip down the floor to give the hosts a 50-47 lead. Hunt and Swierczek traded threes before Latkovich scored inside again to put Whitman in front, 55-50, with 12:26 to go.

The Blues followed with six straight missed shots from the floor over the next six minutes, during which time North Central embarked on a 9-2 run to move ahead, 59-57, with 5:55 left. Isik tied the score with two free throws before a Swierczek free throw and Helwig's third three-point shot of the night staked the guests to a 63-59 edge. 

Whitman rallied yet again and led, 66-65, before a Tyler DiSilvio three-pointer from the left corner brought the Cardinals a 68-66 edge with 2:05 left. The score was tied again at 68-68 and 70-70 before the outcome was decided.

Molloy finished with 12 points for North Central, while Helwig finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Efe Isik paced Whitman with 16 points and 12 boards.

The Cardinals complete their Pacific Northwest trip Sunday in Salem, Oregon, as they take on Willamette University (2-0) at Cone Field House. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Pacific time (4 p.m. Central). Click HERE for the full 2024-2025 schedule and live coverage options.

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