Exhibiting a concerted focus on its low-post game, the North Central College men's basketball program returned to the win column on Tuesday, overpowering Benedictine University, 69-55, in the Battle for Maple/Chicago Avenue at Gregory Arena.

After averaging just over 20 three-point shot attempts in their first four games, the Cardinals (3-2) more than cut that total in half Tuesday, scoring 48 points in the paint and shooting 56.3 percent (27-48) from the floor.

Leading the charge for North Central were forwards Landon Gamble and Jack Burchett. Gamble led all scorers with a season-high 24 points, making 8 of 13 shots from the floor, while adding eight rebounds and three steals. Burchett posted his first double-double of the season (the fifth of his career) with 18 points and 11 rebounds while also turning in a team-best five assists.

Gamble and Burchett scored the Cardinals' first 14 points and helped lead the hosts to a 20-6 lead after eight minutes of play. North Central led by at least nine points the rest of the first period, limiting the Eagles to 32.0 percent shooting (8-25) and taking a 32-21 advantage into halftime. All 12 of North Central's made field goals in the first half came in the lane, where it shot 75 percent (12-16).

Benedictine (1-3) narrowed the gap to 39-34 with 14:51 left in the second period after a three-pointer by Tyler Thurston and four straight points from Tahron Harvey, but fast-break buckets from Brandon Williams and Burchett got the Cardinals started on a 12-3 run that extended the lead to 51-37. North Central led by at least 10 points the rest of the way, pulling ahead by as many as 18.

The Cardinals outrebounded Benedictine, 31-22, permitting the Eagles just three offensive boards, and scored 19 points off of 18 Benedictine turnovers. North Central won its annual matchup with the Eagles for the third straight season, retaining the BIll Warden/Tony LaScala Trophy.

Benedictine got 11 points from Harvey and 10 from Thurston, and the pair shared the team lead in rebounds with four apiece. 

The Cardinals play the first of five straight games away from home on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at Wilberforce University (Ohio).