Contact: Rachel Balinao, Athletics Communication Graduate Assistant, rabalinao@noctrl.edu
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Dec. 6, 2025) - Inside Gregory Arena on Saturday night, the North Central College women's basketball team was defeated by No. 13 Illinois Wesleyan, 66-75, in a gritty and competitive match-up.
The Titans set the pace of the game, capitalizing on a North Central turnover with a steal. However, Biz Daly quickly responded, putting the Cardinals on the board with a tip-in layup, followed by another layup off an Illinois Wesleyan turnover. Daly continued to make an impact, blocking a shot that led to Cate Uhren grabbing the ball and pushing it down the court. The game saw back-and-forth action, with the two teams trading baskets and leads. With less than two minutes left in the first quarter, North Central took a 12-6 lead, from a Uhren three pointer and free throws from Ameli Sanchez. Illinois Wesleyan attempted to respond but the Cardinals closed out the first quarter with a 14-10 lead.
In the second quarter, Illinois Wesleyan started with a free throw to bring themselves within two, 14-12. Jocelyn Trotter answered with a jumper, extending the lead to 16-12. Dolly Smith and Daly each added a layup, with Smith hitting a deep three-pointer to push the lead to 23-16. Illinois Wesleyan made a push of their own, closing the gap to just one point, 23-22, with under three minutes to go. However, Kennedy Hartwig answered with a clutch three-pointer, followed by a free throw and an-and-1 layup by Taylor Marquart to put the Cardinals up 30-22. The half ended with North Central holding a 30-24 lead.
Out of the locker room after halftime, Illinois Wesleyan came out with a renewed intensity. The Titans forced a Cardinal turnover and quickly converted a three-pointer to make it 30-27. Trotter responded with a fast-break layup to push the lead back to five, but the Titans continued to apply pressure. With 6:41 left in the third quarter, the game was tied at 32-32. Hartwig was fouled beyond the arc and converted 2 of 3 free throws, giving North Central a 34-34 tie.
However, Illinois Wesleyan seized control with a 14 point run, the largest lead of the game, going up 37-51 with two minutes left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Cardinals committed to the comeback with Smith hitting a three pointer, followed by a jumper from Hartwig. Kieffer added on with another three-pointer to trim the deficit to 45-55. North Central's defense, in man-to-man pressure, began to cause problems for Illinois Wesleyan. Daly and Hartwig converted free throws after a Hartwig steal, bringing the Cardinals within five, 50-55. Kieffer then added a layup and a free throw, and Trotter knocked down a jumper, closing the gap to 55-58. Despite North Central's strong push, Illinois Wesleyan continued to capitalize on fast-break opportunities, securing the 66-75 victory.
Smith led the Cardinals with 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Hartwig followed with 13 points, going 1 from the arc. Daly finished with 11 points, 9 rebounds, and one assist, along with Trotter matching in rebounds, collecting 9, six points, and two assists.
The Cardinals were 36.5% from the field and 25.9% behind the arc while the Titans were 41.7% from the field and 12.5% from the three-point line. North Central capitalized on second-chance points, scoring 12 points in that category. The game was tied four times and the lead changed hands twice.
The Cardinals now take a brief break during finals week and will return to action for a CCIW road match-up at North Park University on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. in Chicago.
