Nov. 20, 2019 – Holding their opponent to the lowest point total since 2011, the defense set the tone for the North Central College women's basketball team on Wednesday in a 62-43 victory over Concordia University Wisconsin in a non-conference matchup inside Gregory Arena.

The Cardinal defense stymied the Falcons (0-2) all night long, allowing the least amount of points since Dec. 17, 2011 when North Central defeated Aurora University, 78-39.

North Central held the Falcons to just eight points in the first half, allowing only one field goal as Concordia Wisconsin shot just 1-of-11 (9.1%) from the field over the opening 10 minutes while Lyndsay Brennan gave the Cardinals a 15-8 lead with a layup in the closing seconds.

Allowing just four points over the first nine minutes of the second quarter, the Cardinal offense opened up a 31-11 lead with 1:01 to play in the half as Alanna Newsome and Maya Walls combined for 14 points over the North Central run.

An Allison Pearson layup and three-pointer by Walls began the third quarter and opened up the largest lead of the contest for North Central, a 22-point advantage with 9:19 on the clock.

Holding a 49-28 lead with 7:48 to play in the contest, the Falcons went on a 11-2 run to suddenly cut the lead to 12, but Newsome responded with another three-pointer on the next trip down the floor and the Cardinals led by 15 or more the rest of the way.

The defense held the Falcons to just over 25 percent shooting from the field, including 1-of-13 from three-point range, while the Cardinals finished 8-of-17 (47.1%) from beyond the arc.

Scoring in double-figures in all four games so far this season, Newsome led the Cardinal offense with 15 points, while Walls and Haydn Braun each added 14.  Mitrese Smith grabbed a game-high seven rebounds, while Brennan dished out four assists.

With no double-digit scorers, Concordia Wisconsin was led by nine point from Emily Hafemann, while Kaitlyn Foster added eight.

North Central (2-2) continues the current five-game homestand on Saturday, Nov. 23, playing host to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at 5 p.m.

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