Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Box Score

Dec. 8, 2015 – Despite a slow start Tuesday evening, the North Central College women's basketball team found its groove in the second half, wearing down Carroll University to cruise to a 109-81 victory.
 
Carroll's attempt to run with North Central worked early on as the Cardinals took a slim three-point lead into halftime, but the Pioneers shot just 35 percent in the second half to North Central's 50 percent shooting, while the Cardinal defense forced 18 second half turnovers.  Four of Carroll's five starters accumulated 33+ minutes apiece, while the Cardinals had 10 players total over 14 minutes each.
 
North Central (3-3) led the entire first quarter, taking a 21-15 lead after the opening 10 minutes of play.  Carroll (3-5) mounted a comeback to start the second quarter, going on a 15-7 run over the first five and a half minutes of the quarter to turn the tables and take a 30-29 advantage.
 
The Pioneer lead did not last long however, as a three-pointer from Caroline Heimerdinger and back-to-back layups from Mayson Whipple a few minutes later regained the lead for North Central, 39-35.
 
After taking a 42-39 lead into the intermission, the Cardinal offense caught fire to the tune of a 20-5 run, extending its lead 73-54.  The Cardinals shot 8-for-11 from the field during the run, highlighted by long balls from Miranda Grizaffi, Kimberly Wilson and Paula Zerante.
 
North Central extended its lead to 20 early in the fourth quarter and led by as many as 30 down the stretch, as the Cardinal offense saw six players finish in double-figures, led by Therese Pettersson's career-high 17 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field.  Michaela Reeedy turned in 14 points off the bench, also a career high, on 6-of-10 shooting.
 
Lauren Hernandez finished with 3 points and four assists, while Anita Sterling chipped in 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds.  Zerante added 11 points off the bench along with a game-high five steals, while Whipple finished with 10 points and four assists.
 
Carroll's Malory Christenson led all players with 30 points and 14 rebounds, while Emma Kopp also finished with a double-double, recording 12 points and a game-high 10 assists.
 
North Central returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 12, traveling to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with tip-off slated for 5 p.m.  Links to live in-game statistics and video are available HERE.