Game Notes: Alma College @ North Central College (11/23/16)

Final Score
NCC 78, Alma 59

Game Summary
This was a tight game early on as the Scots (1-3) took the early lead and traded baskets. The Cardinals (2-0) then embarked on a 13-0 run to take firm control of the ball game. The Scots did manage to keep it around that 10-12 point range for a decent amount of the half and even cut the lead to eight with about two minutes to go, but the Cardinals scored the half's final seven points to make it 43-28 at the break. Alma would get no closer than 14 in the second half, and North Central was able to send in the end of the bench for the final 110 seconds of the contest.

Key Stats

• Connor Raridon (NCC): 10-13 FG (3-4 3PT), 1-2 FT; 24 pts, 10 reb (1 off), 6 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl. Connor's fifth career double double was a pretty efficient one, as he shot very well and had a great floor game. He commanded the boards well, distributed the ball well as the game went on, and played 37 minutes including some time bringing the ball up.
• Alex Sorenson (NCC): 7-15 FG (2-6 3PT), 0-1 FT; 16 pts, 7 reb (2 off), 2 ast, 2 stl. Kristen came to this game and noted that Alex played really well. He put up these numbers in just 25 minutes of action, which is pretty impressive. Given the lead he was able to sit for most of the second half to get Jack Bronec and Sam Fehrle some minutes, which was good. Alex struggled from deep a little bit, but he'll hit those shots when he needs to.
• Trevor Gernaat (ALMA): 2-8 FG (2-6 3PT), 2-2 FT; 8 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast. Gernaat was the guy I was most worried about in this one having looked at the numbers. But the Cardinals did a great job keeping him in check tonight. He hit a couple threes, but the team as a whole shot just 27.3 percent from deep, with Gernaat hitting two of his team's six total threes. He also turned the ball over four times, so for the Cardinals to shut him down was a great sign.

Final Thoughts

Alma came into the season ranked #14 by D3Hoops.com, which some thought was a little high given what they lost. But they started this game very well despite getting stuck in traffic on the way to Naperville. Eventually they just succumbed to North Central's superior talent. I worry a bit that the Cardinals can get a little careless, but it's only their second game of the season. I'm not super concerned yet, not until we get into conference play. North Central will be back in action on Friday renewing the rivalry with Aurora University at home at 2:00pm.