The win gives the Cardinals (9-5, 3-0 CCIW) a perfect 7-0 record at home thus far this season and keeps North Central tied with Illinois Wesleyan University for first place in the CCIW standings.
The Cardinals used effective ball movement and balanced scoring, as each of their five starters scored in double figures and 22 of the home team's 26 made field goals were assisted. North Central also took advantage of several opportunities in transition, scoring 22 points on 17 Bluejay turnovers.
Elmhurst (7-7, 1-2 CCIW) was able to pull ahead in the first few minutes, taking a 12-6 lead after eight minutes as the Cardinals missed six of their first eight shots. Vince Kmiec converted a three-point play and Kevin Gillespie drove the lane for a layup to get North Central rolling, and Gillespie followed with a three-pointer with 9:24 on the clock to tie the score at 14-14.
Kyle Pembrook scored on a putback to give North Central its first lead and Gillespie canned another three-pointer to give the hosts some breathing room. A three-pointer by Aaron Tiknis with 4:50 to play in the opening period capped off a 20-4 scoring run that yielded a 26-16 Cardinal lead. North Central scored the final seven points of the half to extend its advantage to 39-21 by halftime.
The Cardinals extended their lead to as many as 25 points early in the second period, and never allowed Elmhurst to get closer than 13 points down the stretch.
North Central shot 54.2 percent (26-48) from the floor, topping the 50 percent mark for the third straight game. Kmiec and Tiknis scored 14 points each, while Gillespie and Landon Gamble both scored 13 and Derek Raridon scored 10. Tiknis also led the way with seven rebounds and a career-high eight assists, and was a perfect 4 of 4 from three-point range.
Nick Sanford was the Bluejays' top performer with 18 points, six rebounds and three steals. Zack Boyd and James Robertson each scored 11 points for Elmhurst, which lost its fifth straight game to North Central.
The Cardinals travel to face Wheaton College (11-3, 2-1) on Saturday, with tipoff at King Arena scheduled for 8 p.m.
North Central Men Improve to 7-0 at Home
Elmhurst
56
North Central (Ill.)
70
| Final | 1 | 2 | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmhurst (7-7, 1-2) | 21 | 35 | 56 |
| North Central (Ill.) (9-5, 3-0) | 39 | 31 | 70 |
Jan 10, 2012
The North Central College men's basketball team kept its perfect records at Gregory Arena and in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play intact Tuesday evening, overcoming a slow start and overpowering the Elmhurst College Bluejays, 70-56.