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

Feb. 5, 2025 - Rallying with purpose after a slow start in both halves of play, the North Central College men's basketball team also withstood a late comeback attempt to achieve a 72-64 victory over No. 2-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University at Gregory Arena Wednesday. 

The Cardinals (12-9, 5-7 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) posted their first win over IWU since an 85-78 overtime victory Feb. 11, 2023, and snapped the Titans' eight-game winning streak. 

Illinois Wesleyan (18-3, 10-2 CCIW) made its first five shots from the floor and threatened to break away from the Cardinals early, taking a 10-2 lead after just more than three minutes of play. Following a timeout, North Central got consecutive baskets from Justin Sveiteris, Terrance Moncrief and Tyler Swierczek to slow the Titans down. 

Trailing, 19-13, the hosts got a driving layup from Moncrief and a three-pointer by Swierczek in a 27-second stretch to close the gap to 19-18 when the Titans called for time with 11:05 on the clock. Moncrief gave North Central its first lead at 21-19 by burying a three with 10:04 to play in the half. The Cardinals wound up holding IWU scoreless for five minutes, forcing five turnovers, and scoring 18 unanswered points to take a 31-19 lead with 6:48 to go. Swierczek scored eight points in the rally, while Moncrief and James Bullock Jr. each tallied five.

The lead closed to 36-30 heading into the final minute of the period, but the Cardinals got a three-pointer from Drew Gaston and an inside jumper from Sveiteris before the horn sounded and took a 41-30 advantage into the break. The Titans enjoyed a strong start to the second half as well, making 5 of 6 shots to open play with a 14-2 run and regain the lead, 44-43, with 14:36 left. 

The Cardinals' response was swift and decisive, as Sean Molloy sank a step-back jumper in the lane, and Swierczek and Moncrief drove for layups before another inside score by Molloy made it a 51-44 count in the hosts' favor with 12:29 to play. North Central stayed in front until 3:11 remained, when Hakim Williams rebounded his own missed free throw and converted a layup to knot the score at 60-60.

Gaston pulled up from the left baseline for a jumper to nudge the Cardinals in front once again on the next possession. IWU's Mason Funk went to the free-throw line and made 1 of 2 shots before Tyler DiSilvio scored on a putback with 1:30 left. The Titans' Marko Anderson headed to the charity stripe, also making 1 of 2, giving the home team the ball and a 64-62 edge with 1:17 left. With the shot clock winding down, Gaston pulled up once again from the left baseline and scored with 47 seconds left. North Central made six straight free throws in the final 32 seconds to seal its first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent this season.

Swierczek led the Cardinals in scoring for the third straight game with 19 points on 7 of 9 shooting, while Moncrief finished with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Gaston put up 14 points and DiSilvio grabbed a team-best eight boards. Harrison Wilmsen and Josh Fridman were IWU's top scorers with 11 points each.

North Central hosts North Park University Saturday, with tipoff to follow Senior Day festivities at 4:15 p.m. The Vikings are 14-7 (9-3 CCIW) after Wednesday's 102-89 loss to Wheaton College. Click HERE for the full 2024-2025 schedule and live coverage options.

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