FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Drew
Sauer, Assistant Sports
Information Director, 630-637-5324
Box Score
Jan. 3, 2015 – Despite its lowest point
total of the season, the North Central College women's basketball
team pulled out a 59-56 victory over Illinois Wesleyan University
in comeback fashion Saturday night in the College Conference of
Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) opener, coming back from a
double-digit, second-half deficit to remain unbeaten this
season.
Heading into tonight's matchup, the Cardinals led all of
Division III in scoring average, putting up 102.5 points per game,
but the Titan defense held North Central to a season-low eight
three-pointers, well below its season average of 17.0 per
game. Illinois Wesleyan led nearly the entire contest, taking
the lead from the opening basket and opening up a 15-point lead in
the second half, but the Cardinal offense finally found its stride
down the stretch to pull off the comeback victory.
With the Cardinals (12-0, 1-0 CCIW) facing a 52-42 deficit
with just over 6:30 remaining, Mayson
Whipple cut the lead to seven with a
three-pointer on the Cardinals' next trip down the floor,
while Tess
Godhardt completed a three-point play the old
fashioned way two possessions later to cut the Titan lead to
52-48.
After the two teams traded a pair of
layups, Paula
Zerantesnuck behind the Illinois Wesleyan defense
for an easy lay-in off a Maryssa
Cladis pass to draw the Cardinals to within
three. Two possessions later, Godhardt converted on a bucket
down low, two of her team leading 13 points on the evening,
shrinking the Titan advantage 56-55.
After a Kimberly
Wilson steal on the defensive end of the
floor,Bobbi
Johns slashed the Illinois Wesleyan defense to
convert the easy layup, giving the Cardinals its first lead of the
contest with just 58 seconds remaining.
The Titans (6-6, 0-1 CCIW) had two good looks from
three-point range in the waning seconds, but Cardinal defense held
tight while Johns knocked down a pair of pressure filled
free-throws down the stretch to clinch the win. With the win,
the Cardinals have defeated the Titans in consecutive games for the
first time since the 1991-92 season.
Godhardt was the lone Cardinal to finish in double-figures
with 13 points and five rebounds, while Jamie
Cuny five points, six rebounds and six blocked
shots. Johns ended with nine points and a team-high six
assists.
Illinois Wesleyan's Kasey Reaber led all scorers with 19
points, 10 boards and seven assists, while Alina Lehocky added 10
points on 5 of 9 shooting from the field.
North Central returns home on Wednesday, Jan. 7, playing
host to Millikin University with tip-off slated for 7
p.m.