ELMHURST, Ill. (Jan. 6, 2024) - Tying the program record for made field goals in a game, Jocelyn Trotter posted a 14-of-17 day from the field to lead the North Central College women's basketball team with 32 points on their way to an 86-79 victory over Elmhurst University on Saturday afternoon.

Baskets by Trotter, Grace Kieffer, and Megan McClure opened up a 10-0 run for the Cardinals to begin the game. The Bluejays fought back as a Trotter layup gave North Central a 20-16 lead before Josilyn Simmons-Doxie made a bucket and Jovanna Martinucci hit a free throw to put the Cardinals on top, 26-25 after 10 minutes of play.

The Bluejays took a slight four-point lead early in the second quarter. The teams traded baskets as a deep ball from Trotter tied the contest at 40 with 3:13 left in the half. Elmhurst took a one-possession lead into the break with a 46-44 edge.

Elle Sutter scored the first five points of the third quarter to give North Central a lead which the Cardinals would not relinquish. In total, a 12-1 run from the Cardinals to begin the period put North Central ahead by nine, 56-47. Simmons-Doxie made back-to-back layups before Megan Duffy knocked down a pair of free throws as the Cardinals held a five-point advantage, 66-61.

Elmhurst hit an early three-pointer but North Central responded with a 6-0 run to take a double-digit lead, 74-64. Sutter and Trotter scored clutch points down the stretch as the Bluejays never came within two possessions the rest of the way to give North Central an 86-79 win. The Cardinals improve to 8-7 on the year and 3-3 in conference play.

Trotter's 82.4% field goal percentage is third best in school history for a single game. Sutter tallied her second double-double (13 points and 12 rebounds) in the past three games. McClure scored 14 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Simmons-Doxie recorded 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists. As a team, the Cardinals shot 46% from the field while scoring a season-high 86 points. Anna Kleszynski led the Bluejays with 16 points.

The Cardinals continue College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play on Wednesday by traveling to Augustana College. Tip-off in the Carver Center is set for 7 p.m.