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

Dec. 16, 2024 - In a week that saw North Central College men's basketball guard Ethan Helwig hit two game-winning shots for the Cardinals, the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin named Helwig the conference's Player of the Week, the program's first weekly honor since 2021.

Helwig forced a Loras College turnover with 10 seconds left, then turned the steal into a fastbreak layup to give the Cardinals the lead for good Thursday night. He scored 17 points in North Central's 82-78 victory over the Duhawks. On Saturday night, Helwig hit a turnaround mid-range jumper with five seconds left to give the Cardinals a 68-66 win over Carroll University. He led all players with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the contest.

Helwig is the first Cardinal men's basketball player to earn a CCIW Player of the Week honor since Jan. 3, 2021, when his brother, now an assistant coach, Matt Helwig won the award by scoring 41 points against Olivet College. Ethan is the 25th Cardinal to be named a conference player of the week.

North Central is back in action Friday as they host Concordia University Chicago. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside Gregory Arena. Click HERE for the full 2024-2025 schedule and live coverage options.

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