The Millikin women's basketball team's upset bid against #21 North Central College fell just short as the Big Blue lost 80-76 on January 28 at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Illinois.  North Central improves to 18-1, 7-1 while Millikin drops to 13-6, 4-4.

          After trailing for the entire second half, Millikin made several runs at the Cardinals in the final four minutes of the game.  The Big Blue's Emma Hoyer's layup with 3:24 remaining brought Millikin to within one at 67-66.  The Cardinals would answer and push the advantage back to six points on a three-pointer by Kimberly Wilson making it 74-68 Cardinals with 2:43 remaining.

          The Big Blue would make another run on back-to-back baskets by Yip Ypya and Hoyer to make it 74-72 North Central with 1:53 left to play.  The Cardinals Tess Godhardt would go one of two at the free throw line to make it a 75-72 game with 1:30 remaining.  Hoyer would again bring the Big Blue back with a rebound and basket with 41 seconds left to make it 75-74 Cardinals.  Madison Whipple gave the Cardinals a three point advantage with a basket with 33 seconds remaining.  Bobbi Johns would seal the North Central victory with three free throws in the final 12 seconds of the game.

          Millikin held the Cardinals 17 points below their season average of 97 points per game, but too many Big Blue turnovers spelled the difference in the game.  Millikin shot 42 percent from the field while the Cardinals hit only 33 percent.  North Central took 81 shots compared to Millikin's 69.  Neither team had success from three-point range with North Central hitting 8-53 (15 percent) and Millikin going 1-10 (10 percent).  Millikin committed 37 turnovers with the Cardinals turning it over 21 times. 

          Millikin limited the Cardinals second chance opportunities out rebounding North Central 60-43 including 42 defensive rebounds.

          Millikin had four players in double figures led by Kelsey Going with 22 points and nine rebounds.  Alyssa Saklak had a double double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.  Holly Haskins scored 13 points and Ypya added 10.

          North Central's top scorer was Godhardt with 16 points followed by Whipple with 13.

          Millikin will travel to Elmhurst College on Saturday for a 2 p.m. tipoff.