Lincoln gained notoriety earlier this season after setting five NCAA Division III records in a 201-78 victory over Ohio State - Marion. In Wednesday's game, Lincoln broke open a close contest midway through the first half. A three-pointer by freshman Brandon Smith (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) brought the Cardinals to within one point at 18-17 with a little over 10 minutes remaining before the break. The Lions then ended the half on a 24-3 run. North Central shot 1 of 10 from the field during the run and committed six turnovers. Down 41-21 at halftime, North Central was unable to get back in the game.
Senior forward Dan Walton (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) led the Cardinals with 18 points, 13 rebounds and three assists. Smith totaled 13 points and freshman guard Reid Barringer (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) 10.
After falling behind 3-0 on Friday the Cardinals scored seven straight points to take the lead, which they would never relinquish. Holding on to a slim margin for most of the first half North Central rode a Smith three-pointer into the locker room, ending the period on a 8-2 run.
Trailing 33-25 to start the second half, Gwynedd-Mercy cut the lead to five early, but the Cardinals quickly closed the door on the Griffins, led by double-digit point totals from Smith (11), Walton (13) and Anthony Simmons (Bolingbrook, Ill./Romeoville) (11). Walton also finished the day with a double-double, pulling down a game high 14 rebounds.
The Cardinals owned the glass on the day, outrebounding the Griffins 43-26. Barringer, Daniel Krumtinger (Townada, Ill./Normal Community) and Chris Drennan (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Community) each scored eight points and Smith led the Cardinals in assists with four.
Finishing the tournament at 1-1 gives the Cardinals a 6-3 record on the season. The final home non-conference match-up will be held in Naperville on Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m. when the Cardinals take on Albion College (Mich.) in Gregory Arena.