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

Feb. 10, 2024 - On an emotionally-charged night intended to honor its seniors, the North Central College men's basketball team brought an energized crowd to its feet Saturday as the Cardinals withstood a late challenge and defeated Carroll University, 77-76, at Gregory Arena.

The Cardinals (8-15, 6-8 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) owned a 12-point lead at halftime and stayed in front until the final minute of play when Carroll threatened to put a damper on the festivities. The Pioneers' Eckahelo Simpson sank a jump shot in the lane to give the visitors their first lead since the first period, 76-75.

Carroll had an opportunity to add to its lead with 9.9 seconds to play as Jacob Naber was fouled and went to the free-throw line. Naber, however, missed both attempts to give the Cardinals new life. Following timeouts by both teams, Sean Molloy dribbled into the lane and pulled up from 15 feet away. Molloy's jumper bounced around the rim and dropped through the net with 0.8 seconds to play, ending North Central's four-game losing streak and giving the hosts a season sweep of the Pioneers (13-10, 6-8 CCIW).

(Watch the replay of Molloy's game-winner HERE)

The Cardinals enjoyed their finest shooting accuracy of the season in the first half, converting 64.5 percent (20 of 31) of their shots from the floor. North Central opened the game by making its first seven shots, each of which came from its all-senior starting lineup. Jeffrey Hemmelgarn opened the contest with a hook shot, followed by a layup from Nick Hawn, a post-up jumper from Ken Thomas, a three-pointer from Nick Smoldt, two more inside buckets from Thomas and a three-pointer by Ethan Helwig.

The Pioneers, meanwhile, got three quick three-pointers from Justin Steinike to keep pace as the lead changed hands 10 times in the first 12 minutes. Trailing, 33-32, with 6:05 left in the opening half, North Central closed with a 17-4 run which saw it make 6 of 9 shots from the floor. The Cardinals scored the final 10 points of the period, getting a running one-hander and a three-point play from Molloy and a three-pointer from Tyler Swierczek before Tre Davis beat the buzzer with a pullup jumper to provide a 49-37 advantage at the break.

Carroll outscored the Cardinals, 20-9, over the first seven minutes of the second period to close the gap to a single point at 58-57. North Central extended its lead back to six points at 69-63 following another three from Swierczek, though a 7-2 run brought the Pioneers back within a point at 71-70 with 3:35 left. The teams traded baskets twice, with Thomas scoring inside both times for the hosts. Thomas' second bucket in the exchange came with 2:22 to play and represented North Central's final points before Molloys' last-second heroics.

Thomas tied a season high with 18 points on 8 of 14 shooting and led North Central in rebounds (7), assists (3) and steals (3). Molloy totaled 13 points and Swierczek finished with 12. Simpson led all scorers with 21 points for the Pioneers.

The Cardinals' final home game of the regular season is Wednesday, when they host Millikin University (8-15, 4-10). Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Click HERE for the full 2023-2024 schedule and live coverage options.

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