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

Dec. 4, 2024 - In a seesaw battle that went down to the final seconds, the North Central College women's basketball team absorbed a narrow 66-62 loss to the No. 22-ranked University of Chicago Wednesday at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals (4-3) led through much of the early going and staged a rally in the fourth quarter before a late scoring run put Chicago in front for good. 

North Central pulled in front at the game's outset as Chicago (8-0) endured a stretch of more than five minutes between field goals in the first quarter. Joslyn Simmons-Doxie scored five straight points to nudge the hosts in front, 7-3, then converted another layup to extend the lead to 13-5 with 4:44 still to play in the opening period.

North Central owned a 21-13 advantage heading into the second quarter having made 10 of 18 (55.6 percent) shots from the floor while the Maroons connected on just 3 of 15. Biz Daly knocked down five straight shots to hit double figures early with 10 points.

Chicago began the second period with an 8-2 run over the first 4:14 and continued to keep the pressure on, taking the lead for the first time at 28-26 with 2:37 on the clock. The Maroons wound up carrying a 35-30 lead into halftime, limiting North Central to 2 for 11 shooting in the quarter.

North Central rallied with a 6-0 run to take a 44-43 lead with 2:59 to play in the third period as Daly scored inside, Megan McClure knocked down a jump shot and Simmons-Doxie drove the lane for a layup. The Maroons countered by closing the quarter with a 7-0 run over the final 2:09. The visitors took a 50-44 advantage into the final stanza.

The hosts threatened again in the fourth quarter as they outscored Chicago, 11-3, coming out of the break and took a 55-53 lead on McClure's jumper with 4:44 to play. Once again, however, the Maroons responded with an extended scoring run, scoring eight straight points on two driving layups by Kate Gross and one each by Kasi Samuda and Sophia North, and led, 61-55, with 2:08 to play.

Trailing, 64-59, in the final seconds, the Cardinals got a three-point play from Daly to cut their deficit to 64-62 with 10.5 seconds to play. North Central fouled and got the ball back following two missed free throws, the hosts had a chance to tie or take the lead with 9.8 seconds to play.

Simmons-Doxie was fouled on a drive to the basket, earning two free-throw attempts with 6.0 seconds on the clock. Both shots were off the mark, and Chicago got two charity shots from Samuda to seal its victory.

Daly led all scorers with 24 points on 9 of 14 shooting, while Simmons-Doxie totaled 19 points and five assists. McClure grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Samuda paced Chicago with 15 points.

The Cardinals host Augustana College in their College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) opener Saturday. Tipoff is set for 5:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2024-2025 schedule and live coverage options.

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