Jarred DeHerrera
Staff Writer
On Wednesday night, the North Central College (13-0, 2-0 CCIW) women’s basketball continues to roll as they defeat their second CCIW opponent Millikin University (10-3, 1-1 CCIW), 95-75, as they dominate all opponents who they come across in their 2014-2015 season.
It was the defense that won this game for the Cardinals against the Big Blue as they controlled the ball for almost the entire game as they forced 24 turnovers as a team and only allowed 12 themselves. It didn’t hurt that the Cardinals were able to knock down 15 three-pointers, as well as holding their opponent to 0-for-3 from long beyond the arch.
These three-point numbers may seem small compared to an earlier season NCAA Division III record tying high of 26 three-point field goals on Dec. 16, 2014 in their 112-76 win over Monmouth College.
Going into the second half, the Cardinals held onto a 45-40 lead before sophomore Miranda Grizaffi drained a three-pointer, topped off with a layup by senior transfer Tess Godhardt to start off the second half making the score 50-40.
That was when Big Blue’s Alyssa Saklak went off scoring 8 of Millikin’s next 16 points, cutting the Cardinal’s lead to just three points at 59-56 with just 13 minutes left in the half.
“I don’t focus on what is going on the scoreboard, we just keep pushing. We do the same thing, no matter the situation and eventually wear the other team down,” said Godhardt.
The Cardinals showed their true colors in the remaining minutes as they responded with a few quick three pointers from Mayson Whipple, Therese Pettersson and Grizaffi.
Jamie Cuny and Godhardt set a high pace for the Cardinals as they both combined for double-doubles as Cuny but up 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Godhardt had 22 points and 11 rebounds with eight of those coming from the offensive end.
As the team looks forward to the game at Wheaton College at 5 pm this Saturday, they are confident that their hard work throughout their first 13 games will pay off and the end result will be a good one.
“Wheaton is the best team in the conference and it’ll be a great test for us. I think that we match up well with them this year and as long as we work hard and do what we are supposed to, I’m positive that it’ll turn out well,” said Godhardt.
