Game Notes: (MBK) Millikin University @ North Central College (12/1/18)

Final Score
NCC 75, Millikin 64

Game Summary
The Big Blue (4-2, 0-1) got their lineup in on time this year, so they started infinitely better than they did in last season's matchup. They even stayed in it despite the Cardinals (5-0, 1-0) scoring the game's first four points. North Central seemed in control early, leading by as many as eight at 16-8 before the Big Blue climbed back into it with a couple threes, and they even grabbed a 21-20 lead with 6:45 to play. But the lead lasted all of 17 seconds as a couple free throws gave North Central the lead back, and they wouldn't look back, pushing the lead to 38-29 at the break. The Big Blue pushed the deficit down to five early in the second half, but a 9-2 Cardinal run gave control firmly back to the hosts, with the lead stretching as high as 17 a few times before the final buzzer sounded.

Key Players

• Connor Raridon (NCC): 7-9 FG (1-2 3PT), 3-4 FT; 18 pts, 3 reb, 6 ast, 1 blk, 1 stl. It was another pretty good floor game for Raridon, as he had a very efficient day shooting the ball, mostly on fallaways, but he also did a great job sharing the ball and played solid defense all game.
• Matt Cappelletti (NCC): 5-14 FG (0-5 3PT), 4-6 FT; 14 pts, 9 reb (4 off), 5 ast. Cap didn't have his best shooting game in this one as he missed all his outside looks, but he found a way to still have an impact, getting to the basket, making some free throws, and distributing the ball. The fact that he was the leading rebounder from both teams helped, too.
• Elijah Henry (MIL): 5-9 FG (1-1 3PT), 5-6 FT; 16 pts, 6 reb (3 off), 1 ast, 1 stl. Henry was probably the best guy on the floor for the Big Blue tonight with an efficient 16 points, 11 of which came in the second half. He was also their leading rebounder, but did commit three turnovers in the losing effort. Even so, a solid game all-around for him.

Key Stats

• NCC: 5-18 3PT (27.8%). This team continues to have some struggles occasionally shooting the ball, but it didn't hurt them tonight. It was just odd to see Cap go 0-5, Mike Pollack go 0-2, and no player make more than one. The shots will fall as the season goes on, so I'm not too worried here.
• MIL: 21-24 FT (87.5%). This was really what kept Millikin in the game, especially in the first half. They went 7-8 at the line in the first 20 minutes, and while they didn't really get anyone from North Central in foul trouble in that half, that was what helped keep the game close. Even late in the contest, they were able to keep it a respectable margin based on a good night at the line.

CCIW Scoreboard Watch

• @ IWU 75 (7-0, 1-0), CAR 67 (3-4, 0-1) (OT)
• @ NPU 68 (2-6, 1-0), WHE  65 (5-2, 0-1)
• @ AUG 68 (5-1, 1-0), CRL 56 (2-4, 0-1)
• Bye: UW-Oshkosh 68, @ ELM 57 (2-3, 0-0)

Final Thoughts

Millikin, on the whole, looked pretty good tonight, all things considered. They definitely showed they're deserving of their record. North Central, meanwhile, continues to go possibly under the radar a little bit. They're undefeated, albeit against not the strongest schedule, but wins are wins, and you take them how you can get them (ask Illinois Wesleyan tonight; they'd agree). But the Cardinals gritted this one out with good defense and making some easy shots inside.

North Central continues its homestand on Wednesday as they welcome Carroll back to Merner for the first time since the Cardinals blew a 20 point lead to the Pioneers last year. They'll follow that up with North Park at home a week from tonight, who you can't sleep on since they beat Wheaton.