Getting a rare chance to avenge a loss to a conference rival after just a week's time, the North Central College men's basketball team improved to 8-1 in home games and 7-1 in the 2018 calendar year Saturday with an 87-74 victory over Elmhurst College at Gregory Arena.

The Bluejays ended North Central's nine-game winning streak Jan. 20 with a 91-77 victory at R.A. Faganel Hall, having rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit. The Cardinals (14-5, 7-3 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin) allowed no such theatrics this time around, shooting 60 percent (15 of 25) from the floor in the second half and making 26 of a season-high 36 free-throw attempts.

Saturday's game was also one for the record books for North Central's Connor Raridon, who recorded 12 assists to establish new school records for assists in a single season (130) and in a career (280). Raridon, who also finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals, also owns the Cardinals' single-game assist record (13 in an 83-68 win at Aurora University Dec. 12).

Trailing, 7-5, after five minutes of play, the Cardinals got a three-pointer from Aiden Chang and a pair of free throws from Erwin Henry before Blaise Meredith sank a jumper and fed Alex Sorenson for a layup in a 9-2 run which pushed the hosts in front, 14-9. Elmhurst (11-8, 4-6 CCIW) cut the lead to a single point on two occasions, but a 9-1 Cardinal run provided some breathing room yet again. North Central led by as many as 13 points before taking a 40-30 advantage into halftime.

The Bluejays closed to within seven points early in the second half, but a layup by Henry and two straight inside buckets from Matt Cappelletti kept the visitors at bay once again. The lead never dipped below eight points the remainder of the contest as North Central made 16 of 22 free throws in the period, sinking 6 of 6 in the final 1:27.

Henry led six North Central double-figure scorers with 18 points, while Sorenson finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, Cappelletti put up 14 points and four blocked shots, and Mike Pollack and Chang totaled 11 and 10 points, respectively. The Cardinals improved to 9-1 when shooting at least 50 percent from the floor (28 of 53, 52.8 percent).

Jake Rhode led Elmhurst with 18 points, while Derek Dotlich scored 14 and Lavon Thomas added 13.

The Cardinals travel to face Carthage College (11-7, 6-3) on Wednesday, with tipoff at Tarble Arena scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Red Men posted an 81-78 victory over No. 5-ranked Augustana College on Wednesday.