The North Central College men's basketball team is now the owner of a six-game winning streak for the second time this season after traveling to Millikin University on Wednesday and shutting down the Big Blue's offense in a 62-46 victory at the Griswold Center.

The 10th-ranked Cardinals (12-1, 2-0 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) limited Millikin to 30.6 percent shooting (15 of 49) from the floor and an 0 for 11 showing from three-point range while also getting a career-best scoring output from senior forward Charles Rosenberg. Limited to 10 points in North Central's previous two games, Rosenberg lit up the Big Blue for 26 points, including a 21-point outburst in the first half.

The Cardinals trailed for the only time at 7-6 with 15:29 left in the first half but quickly retook the lead on a three-point play by Rosenberg. Millikin tied the score at 13-13 on Jacob Kueker's putback with 8:56 left in the first half before Rosenberg scored 10 points in an 11-2 run, capping the rally with a pair of fast-break dunks. North Central wound up closing the first half on a 16-5 run and carrying a 29-18 advantage into halftime.

The visitors led by as many as 16 points in the second half before the Big Blue made its bid for a comeback, narrowing the gap to 49-42 with 6:16 to play. North Central got a three-pointer from Jayme Moten and a jumper in the lane from Joe Kennell, each of which were answered by jump shots from Nathan Biggs, and led, 54-46, with 4:36 left. Biggs' basket, however, represented Millikin's final points of the evening. Moten sank two free throws, Jack Burchett threw down a dunk, Erwin Henry converted a layup and Kennell made two more charity shots down the stretch to put the contest out of reach.

North Central shot an even 50 percent (22 of 44), including a 57.1 percent clip (12 of 21) in the second half. Rosenberg made 10 of 16 shots from the field while also leading the Cardinals with eight rebounds and three steals. Burchett totaled 13 points and Moten added 12. TJ Griffin scored 12 and Biggs finished with 10 for the Big Blue (6-7, 1-1).

North Central plays at Wheaton College (7-6, 0-2) on Saturday. The Thunder lost a 77-68 decision to Illinois Wesleyan University on Wednesday. Tipoff at King Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.