Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324
ELMHURST, Ill. (Jan. 24, 2026) - Playing in yet another close contest and their fifth overtime game of the season, the North Central College men's basketball team rallied in the second half to force an extra five minutes but ultimately fell on a buzzer-beater as Elmhurst University claimed an 82-80 win Saturday night inside R.A. Faganel Hall.
James Bullock Jr. opened the scoring for the Cardinals with a layup off an assist from Alejandro Diaz. After the teams traded baskets, North Central took its first lead on a jumper from Bullock. A quick six-point swing from Elmhurst put the hosts back in front, 16-11, midway through the first half.
Both teams came out of the break hot, combining for 11 points in the first three minutes. Sean Molloy grabbed a rebound and scored a fastbreak layup to bring the Cardinals within single digits, 42-34. Molloy and Bullock each buried a 3-pointer before a deep ball from Tyler Swierczek kept North Central within reach. A tip-in by Justin Sveiteris cut the deficit to 53-47. With 10 minutes left, Seth Cheney hit a 3 to bring North Central within three, 55-52. Elmhurst responded with seven straight points to push the lead back to double digits.
With 6:03 remaining, Bullock's 3-pointer sparked a 13-0 run, and a basket from Diaz gave North Central a 68-66 lead with 2:03 to play. Each team scored on its next possession before Molloy's basket in the paint put the Cardinals ahead 70-68 with 43 seconds left. A pair of Molloy free throws extended the lead to four with 16 seconds remaining. The Bluejays answered with a 3 to pull within one. Diaz drew a foul and made both free throws with nine seconds left, but Audyn Boone hit a clutch 3 to tie the game at 74-74 and force overtime.
Tyler Surin scored the first points of overtime before the Bluejays rattled off six straight. A jumper by Molloy tied the game again with 19 seconds left. Boone then put back an Elmhurst miss as time expired to seal the 82-80 win.
Bullock led North Central with 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, followed by Molloy with 18 and Diaz with 12. Surin added 10 points, Swierczek scored eight, and Sveiteris contributed four points and seven rebounds off the bench. North Central shot 45.5% from the field, 37.5% from 3, and 87.5% at the line. Elmhurst was led by Vinnie Adjahoungbeta's 18 points and shot 44.6% overall, 48.1% from 3, and 91.7% at the free-throw line. Earlier, after Swierczek drew a foul on a 3-pointer and made all three free throws, Diaz forced a steal and hit a jumper to give North Central an 18-16 lead. Elmhurst closed the half on a 16-2 run to take a 38-25 advantage at the break.
The Cardinals return to Naperville on Wednesday as they host Millikin University, looking to avenge a 55-50 loss to the Big Blue earlier this season. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. inside Gregory Arena.
