North Central College Cardinals

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

Box Score

WHEATON, Ill. (Nov. 17, 2017) – Forced to play catch-up after a rough second quarter, the North Central College women's basketball team's comeback attempt against Louisiana College fell just short 77-71 in the season opener at the Beth Baker Classic hosted by Wheaton College.
 
After North Central (0-1) took a 16-15 lead into the second quarter, the offense suddenly went cold and Louisiana College (2-0) took advantage, outscoring the Cardinals, 27-10 to take a 42-26 lead into the intermission.
 
Hitting the refresh button in the locker room, the Cardinals came storming back to begin the third quarter, going on a 16-8 run over the first five minutes to suddenly trim the Wildcat lead 50-45.  The North Central run was highlighted by a pair of three-pointers from each of Natali Dimitrova and Siarra O'Neil.
 
North Central hung tough down the stretch at one point pulling to within three of the lead late in the fourth quarter as a Mayson Whipple three-pointer cut the Louisiana lead 73-70 with 1:09 to play, but a pair of turnovers within the final minute spoiled the Cardinals chances at a comeback.
 
The Wildcats shot 44 percent from the field to North Central's 33 percent, while also holding a 52-42 margin on the boards.
 
Three Cardinals finished in double-figures on the afternoon, led by 16 points from Dimitrova on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arch.  O'Neil finished with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, while Maya Walls added 10 points and two blocks.  Diamond Calicott grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, while Lyndsay Brennan dished out five assists.
 
Brooke Jones paced the Wildcat offense with a double-double, scoring 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, while grabbing 16 rebounds including six on the offensive end.
 
With a quick turnaround tomorrow, North Central will look for redemption in the final day of the Beth Baker Classic, taking on Lake Forest College at 1 p.m. inside King Arena.  The link to live in-game statistics is available HERE.