Ameli Sanchez shoots a three pointer
Steve Woltmann
60
St. Mary's (IN) SMC-IN 0-1,0-0 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
76
Winner North Central (IL) NCC 1-0,0-0 CCIW
St. Mary's (IN) SMC-IN
0-1,0-0 Michigan Intercol. Ath. Assn.
60
Final
76
North Central (IL) NCC
1-0,0-0 CCIW
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
St. Mary's (IN) SMC-IN 18 10 20 12 60
North Central (IL) NCC 20 19 17 20 76

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Balanced Effort Fuels 76-60 Win for Women's Basketball

Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

Nov. 7, 2025 - Kicking off the season with a 76-60 victory over St. Mary's College (Ind.), the North Central College women's basketball team featured five double-digit scorers Friday evening inside Gregory Arena. The win marks the Cardinals' third straight season-opening victory.

Dolly Smith scored her first points in a North Central uniform with a three-pointer before a layup from Biz Daly brought the Cardinals within two, 7-5, early in the opening quarter. Back-to-back jumpers from Jocelyn Trotter, followed by Ameli Sanchez's layup, kept North Central close at 12-11. A pair of free throws by Cate Uhren put the Cardinals on top for the first time, 17-15. A basket and free throw by Smith with a few seconds left gave North Central a 20-18 lead after 10 minutes of play.

A Kennedy Hartwig three-pointer sparked an 11-0 run by the Cardinals to begin the second quarter. Second-chance points from Daly and Alaya Redditt kept North Central in front, 37-25. At the break, the Cardinals held a 39-28 advantage.

The Belles made a run to start the third quarter with a quick five-point swing, forcing a North Central timeout. The Cardinals responded with six quick points, highlighted by another Hartwig three-pointer. A layup from Grace Kieffer pushed the lead back to double figures, 50-39. The teams traded baskets until a jumper from Kieffer gave North Central a 56-48 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Another second-chance bucket by Daly pushed the Cardinals' advantage to 58-48 early in the fourth quarter. That opened a 9-0 run capped by another second-chance basket from Daly. Hartwig converted a pair of free throws before a three-pointer from Uhren sealed the game as North Central secured the 76-60 win.

Trotter and Sanchez each tallied 14 points, with Daly (13), Hartwig (11) and Kieffer (10) close behind. Trotter posted a double-double with 10 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals. Smith added seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists. As a team, the Cardinals shot 41% from the floor and held the Belles to 37%. North Central outscored St. Mary's 40-20 in the paint and 23-6 in second-chance points.

The Cardinals hit the road for the first time this season, visiting Concordia University Chicago for a 7 p.m. tipoff at Geiseman Gymnasium. North Central is 14-1 all-time against the Cougars and has won 12 straight in the series.
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