Game Notes: (MBK) Carthage College @ North Central College (2/11/15)

Final Score
NCC 65, Carthage 61

Game Summary
In a defensive struggle early, the Cardinals (17-6, 7-5) needed a little time to get going as the Red Men (7-15, 3-9) were able to build an early lead. The Cardinals started going inside and took control, leading by as any as seven with five minutes left, but Carthage rallied to take a 27-26 lead into the break. The Red Men maintained that lead for a bit into the second half before the Cardinals took over and opened up a lead as big as nine with about 11 minutes left. Carthage fought back with a barrage of threes and even tied the game at 57, but timely layups and a few free throws put the game away.

Key Stats

• NCC: 27-30 FT (90%). After last week's women's game where 59 fouls were called, this was much better, with 34. Most importantly, when NCC got to the line, they made the Red Men pay. In tight games like this, you need to make your freebies, and the Cardinals did.
• Jack Burchett (NCC): 7-11 FG, 12-14 FT; 26 pts, 9 reb (4 off), 3 ast, 3 blk, 2 stl. Burchett set a new career high in scoring, largely thanks to his success at the charity stripe. Free throws have never really been one of Jack's strengths (he's a career 44.6% shooter), but he had a career day in attempts and makes, including getting a very friendly roll on the one that probably put the game away.
• Mike Kjeldsen (CAR): 3-5 FG (all 3PT), 2-2 FT; 11 pts. Kjeldsen came off the bench in the second half and keyed the Red Men rally with deadly three point shooting. He hit a wide open look from the corner to tie the game with three minutes to go and wouldn't score again. 

Around the CCIW

• @ e-Wheaton 70 (11-12, 4-8), e-Millikin 67 (8-15, 3-9)
• x-Augustana 82 (19-4, 9-3), @ x-Illinois Wesleyan 56 (17-6, 9-3)
• @ x-Elmhurst 89 (18-5, 8-4), North Park 49 (14-9, 5-7)
• x: Team has clinched a berth in the CCIW Tournament
• e: Team has been eliminated from CCIW Tournament contention

Final Thoughts
North Central's win eliminated Carthage, Millikin and Wheaton from tournament contention, but Elmhurst's win was key, in that North Park is now two back of the Cardinals with two to play. Either a Cardinal win in Elmhurst or a North Park loss to Wesleyan on Saturday makes the regular season finale mean nothing and gives the Cardinals, who are just two back of the CCIW lead, a berth in the tournament.

This was a fun game, and marks my last Wednesday night tilt of the season. The women (who couldn't overcome an early double digit deficit at Carthage last night, join the men at Elmhurst for a Valentine's Day doubleheader. A week from then, North Park comes calling for Senior Night at NCC, which is always an emotional day.

On Sunday following the penultimate games of the season, I'm going to look at both CCIW tournaments and try to piece together the scenarios, though for the men, it's all but decided. Wednesday I will update the regional rankings from the NCAA and figure out how things look for The Dance.