Feb 06, 2016
The North Central College women's basketball team overcame a 10-point first-half deficit and outscored Illinois Wesleyan University by 11 points in the second half, completing a second half comeback for the first time this season to take down the Titans on Senior Night, 87-81.
The two teams traded leads most of the first half, but a 9-0 run late in the second quarter gave the Titans (13-9, 8-3 CCIW) a 36-29 lead with 2:09 to play before halftime.
Trailing by five at the intermission, North Central opened the third quarter on a 10-4 run over the first three minutes to quickly regain the lead 43-42. The Cardinal run was sparked by a Jamie Cuny three-pointer to start the quarter, while a Caroline Heimerdinger long ball capped the rally.
Once again the two team traded leads the remainder of the third quarter, until Illinois Wesleyan's Gabrielle Holness scored down low right before the end of the quarter to give the Titans a slim 61-59 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
After 15 lead changes and four ties, North Central finally took the lead for good as Mayson Whippleopened the fourth quarter with a three-pointer, giving the Cardinals a 62-61 advantage with 9:14 to play in regulation.
The Cardinals hot shooting continued over the next three minutes, opening up a 10-point lead after a 11-3 run gave North Central a 75-65 lead with 5:45 to play. The Cardinals hit a trio of three's during the run, as Therese Pettersson, Michaela Reedy and Anita Sterling all hit from deep in a matter of four possessions.
North Central increased its lead to as many as 13 down the stretch and held off the Titan attack late, as Pettersson paced the Cardinal offense with 17 points off the bench. Whipple added 15 points and a game-high eight assists, while Cuny turned in a stellar game defensively, leading all players with 13 rebounds and nine blocks, falling just one block shy of her own program single-game record.
Five Titans finished in double-figures, led by Molly McGraw's 17 points, while Maddie Merritt and Alina Lehocky each finished with double-doubles.
North Central returns home for the final time this season on Wednesday, Feb. 10, playing host to Carthage College at 7 p.m. Links to live coverage are available HERE.