Game Notes: (WBK) Elmhurst College @ North Central College (1/17/15)

Final Score
NCC 82, Elmhurst 79

Game Summary
The Cardinals (15-1, 4-1) jumped out to an early lead behind some three point shooting, but Elmhurst (9-7, 2-3) battled back to tie the game at ten. The Cardinals quickly regained the lead, but went into a dry spell offensively. Fortunately for them, the Blue Jays were also struggling. They kept it close thanks to free throws, but the Cardinals took a 41-38 lead into halftime. North Central got a three on the opening possession of the second half, then went on a field goal drought for several minutes as the Blue Jays took a 58-47 lead. The Cardinals woke up from there and unleashed a barrage of threes to close the gap, then went inside to take the lead, and free throws sealed the deal.

Key Stats

• Bobbi Johns (NCC): 4-8 FG (2-3 3PT), 12-16 FT; 22 pts, 4 reb (1 off), 1 ast, 2 stl. Bobbi pretty much put the game away last night, hitting a couple threes (something she usually doesn't do a ton of) and attacking the basket relentlessly, getting to the line a ton of times. While she did turn it over five times, she more than made up for it with late game heroics, including a pair of free throws with ten seconds left to clinch the game.
• Tess Godhardt (NCC): 6-10 FG (0-1 3PT), 5-5 FT; 17 pts, 7 reb (6 off), 2 stl. The former Blue Jay was held in check in the first half, only attempting one field goal while scoring just four points before taking over inside in the second half. She continues to be a key for the Cardinals' success.
• Fiona McMahon (ELM): 15-22 FG, 4-10 FT; 34 pts, 11 reb (3 off), 4 ast, 1 blk. McMahon very nearly beat the Cardinals by herself, frequently getting open behind the Cardinal press for multiple easy layups. Were it not for her 40 percent night at the line, she very well may have.

North Central System Watch

• Elmhurst Turnovers: 33. The Blue Jays turned it over 19 times in the first half alone, owing to several travels and errant passes. The Cardinals forced a pair of five-second calls, then a ten second call late in the game, overturning what was originally a foul on Bobbi Johns. The Cardinals also managed 15 steals.
• NCC 3PT: 11-39 (28.2%). This is a lower number in terms of attempts for the Cardinals, but they made them count. Corrine Rowe and Jamie Cuny each hit four to do a ton of damage.
• NCC Charges Drawn: 1. Therese Pettersson drew one early in the game to help set the defensive tone. There weren't any other calls that came super close in the game.

Around the CCIW

• Wheaton 65 (14-2, 4-1), @Augustana 62 (7-9, 1-4)
• Millikin 75 (11-4, 3-2), @Carthage 61 (11-5, 4-1)
• Illinois Wesleyan 89 (7-9, 1-4), @North Park 72 (9-7, 1-4)

Final Thoughts
Coach Roof told me after the game last night that "we needed this one." I agree; they're maintaining a perfect home record so far while moving into a three-way tie for first place in the CCIW with the win and Carthage finally dropping a conference game. I told her too that this was the type of game that bodes well for the rest of the year. This team has overcome double digit deficits multiple times to come back and win the game, including in quite a few home games.

The Cardinals get a chance to stay in first place as they welcome Carthage to Merner on Wednesday. This one is somewhat personal for me, considering how the Cardinals got robbed last year.