FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Drew Sauer, Assistant Sports Information Director, 630-637-5324

Nov. 12, 2013 -- Coming off its first College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament appearance since 2009, the North Central College women's basketball team looks to improve the high-tempo offense head coach Michelle Roof introduced last season in hopes of returning to postseason play again this year.

Despite leading all of NCAA Division III in scoring average last season (87.9 points per game), while ranking third nationally in steals per game (17.0) and three-point field goals per game (11.4), Roof knows there is room for improvement in the second-year system.

"Now that we have a year of experience playing the style we want," said Roof, "we can start to refine some of the smaller details that will make us more successful. In terms of execution, we need to be more aggressive on the glass at both ends, increase our shooting percentage by mastering the footwork and quick release, and get better at containing in traps and anticipating passes."

The Cardinals return five juniors who all played in 20+ games each of their first two seasons at North Central, so the leadership dynamic of the team should remain intact this season. 

"They all have quite a bit of playing experience," said Roof, "and now system experience so they are able to bring the freshmen around much faster. They know what kind of commitment and effort it takes to compete in the CCIW and are hungry to improve on last season."

Junior guards Kelsey Cooling, Bobbi Johns, Maryssa Cladis and Lauren Hernandez, as well as Second Team All-CCIW junior forward Larynn Shumaker and lone senior Marion Boeck return this season, after all saw significant playing time last season.

"Larynn is a very competitive young woman that is fueled by being an underdog," said Roof.  "I believe our perimeter players are improved and will show more consistency over last season as they are more used to playing at a fast pace. If we can knock down some more 3's, it will open up the paint even more for her."

Last season Shumaker led the Cardinals in scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.1 points per game and 5.3 boards per game while leading the team to an overall record of 13-13, including a 6-8 showing in conference play.

Even though the Cardinals led the nation in scoring last season, the defense was prone to giving up high point totals at times, and Roof believes experience gained last season will help refine the second-year system.

"Along with increasing our offensive output this season, we need to develop better anticipation skills so we can react to the ball more quickly," said Roof, "both in the full and the half-court. When teams break our initial traps we need to sprint harder in transition to be in position to help out in a numbers situation and rebound more effectively."

The Cardinals were selected to finish sixth in the CCIW Coaches' Preseason Poll while defending CCIW Champion Carthage College was selected to repeat this season, garnering 49 points along with seven first-place votes.  Wheaton College finished the polling in second with 41 points, and Illinois Wesleyan finished a close third with 39 points and one first-place vote.  Finishing fourth was Millikin University (27 points), followed by Elmhurst College (25), while Augustana College and North Park University tied for seventh with 10 points apiece.

North Central opens the 2013-14 schedule Friday, Nov. 15, hosting Ripon College at 5 pm on the opening day of the Chicago Marriott Naperville Tip-Off Tournament.