Returning from a 10-day break in competition, the North Central College men's basketball team used a potent perimeter attack to defeat Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Indiana), 77-54, and post a second straight victory at Gregory Arena Monday night.

The Cardinals (2-1) put up 36 shots from beyond the three-point arc, making 15 to match the fourth-highest single-game total in the program's history. North Central spread the wealth among nine different players who sank at least one three-pointer, and the hosts' defensive effort held Rose-Hulman (2-3) without a single double-figure scorer.

For the second time in three games, Will Clausel came off the bench to lead the Cardinals in scoring, putting up a career-high 19 points on 7 of 9 shooting. Entering the contest with North Central trailing, 9-6, Clausel scored 12 points in a four-minute stretch to put the home team in front, 24-14, with 10:22 left in the first half. The Cardinals led by as many as 17 points before Connor Raridon's buzzer-beating inside jumper sent them into the break with a 42-26 edge. North Central made 9 of 21 three-point shots in the opening 20 minutes.

The Cardinals put up eight points in the first minute of the second period and were not threatened from then on, leading by as many as 29 down the stretch. Matt Cappelletti finished with 11 points and matched Raridon for the team lead in rebounds (7). Raridon and Blaise Meredith each totaled four assists. Eli Combs led the Engineers with nine points.

The Cardinals return to action Tuesday, hosting Benedictine University (4-1) in the annual Battle of Maple/Chicago Avenue. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.