Game Notes: (MBK) Wheaton College @ North Central College (1/31/15)

Final Score
NCC 63, Wheaton 62

Game Summary
In a very back-and-forth game, the Cardinals (15-5, 5-4) weren't able to establish much in the way of control, but the Thunder (9-11, 2-7) couldn't take advantage of it, as the teams tied six times and traded the lead seven other times in the first ten minutes. The Cardinals finally took over a little bit, and carried a 35-30 lead into the break despite guard Jayme Moten leaving late in the half with an injury. The Cardinals pushed the lead to 48-39, but couldn't make it double digits as Wheaton started to catch fire and took advantage of foul trouble on Charles Rosenberg. Wheaton retook the lead at 52-51 with about eight minutes to go, but the Cardinals wouldn't go away. A Thunder three during a 59-all tie gave them a three point lead, but they wouldn't score again, and the Cardinals took advantage of a layup, missed Wheaton free throws, and a wide open look with just 12 seconds left to steal a win on home court.

Key Stats

• Erwin Henry (NCC): 7-13 FG (1-1 3PT), 2-4 FT; 17 pts, 5 reb (3 off), 1 ast. Erwin was the hero last night. He was able to get to the basket multiple times, but more impressively, was able to hit some key jumpers at critical moments, none bigger than late. Following a missed front end of a Wheaton one-and-one, Henry found himself wide open under the basket on a great feed from Jack Burchett and put it home to win the game.
• NCC: Outscored Wheaton in the paint 34-10. When you consider that Wheaton ran a very good 2-3 zone, this is kind of amazing. This becomes even more amazing when you see that Burchett and Rosenberg only had eight points each. It's a credit to guys like Henry being able to penetrate and get to the basket.
• Joel Smith (WTN): 8-11 FG (3-5 3PT), 5-5 FT; 24 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk. Smith was nearly the hero for the Thunder. He was hitting just about everything again, including a go-ahead three with about two minutes left to make it 62-59. He was pumped after that, and rightfully so.

Around the CCIW

• @ Elmhurst 88 (16-4, 6-3), Millikin 72 (8-12, 3-6)
• @ North Park 76 (12-8, 3-6), Augustana 69 (17-3, 7-2)
• Illinois Wesleyan 77 (15-5, 7-2), @ Carthage 65 (7-12, 3-6)

Final Thoughts

Post by North Central College Athletics.

Wow. Despite the inclement weather today, lots of fans made the trip out to Merner last night, and they were rewarded with a fantastic game. I got to talk to assistant coach and former Cardinal player Aaron Tiknis after the game, and he was very happy, saying that "We needed that one." He's absolutely right. After dropping two in a row and four of their last five, this was a much needed win. The Augustana loss was also huge, as it narrows the gap at the top of the conference. North Central is back within two games, and with Carthage and Millikin both losing, the Cardinals are two games up on both for the fourth and final spot in the CCIW Tournament.

Things get incredibly difficult this next week for the Cardinals, however. They head to Rock Island to face Augustana on Wednesday before making the trip down to Bloomington to take on Illinois Wesleyan. If the Cardinals can split those games, they'll be in good shape for the stretch run.