NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Stout perimeter defense against one of the country's premier three-point shooting teams wasn't enough as the Spartans fell to undefeated North Central (Ill.), 110-93, after a 9-0 Cardinal run broke the game open midway through the second half.

After tying the national record for three-pointers made in a game (26), the Cardinals (10-0) struggled from beyond the arc against the Spartan perimeter defense. The Spartans (4-4) limited North Central to 19 of 75 shooting (25.3%) from the three-point line and 31.1% overall on the game. The Cardinals got hot at the right time and took advantage of costly Spartan turnovers in the second half. A 9-0 run with 10:04 remaining pushed the Cardinal lead to 14. UD reduced the lead to eight with 7:16 to go, but North Central pushed right back to a comfortable finish.

On offense, the Spartans - led by Jenna Kotas' 24 points and season-high 14 rebounds – played at a high level in the first half after shooting over 50% and converting 7 of 10 three-pointers. As the Cardinals elevated their shooting in the second, the Spartans' field goal percentages dropped by similar margins and the Spartans paid the price after being outscored by 18 points in the second after a 51-50 halftime edge.

UD's senior Meggie Schmidt contributed 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists with four three-point makes and freshman Abbey Meyer totaled 13 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals in arguably her best all-around game thus far.  

The Cardinals' Tess Godhardt was a force inside after tallying 23 points, 13 rebounds (nine offensive), and three steals on six of 12 two-point attempts in 19 minutes of play. Godhardt and Co.'s shooting woes were quickly erased after 40 offensive rebounds and a +17 rebounding margin. As a result, the Cardinals had 31 second-chance points to UD's 13.

Seventy-five of North Central's 106 shots were from beyond the arc.

The Spartans travel to the Wisconsin Dells tournament to take on UW-Whitewater at 3:30 p.m. on December 29 and UW-La Crosse on 3:30 p.m. on December 30.