Dan Walton (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) led the Cardinals in scoring with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field. Senior Ray Vicario (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) was also a force offensively, hitting 5-of-8 shots from behind the arc. Vicario had 18 points and four assists on the night.
North Central started quickly, opening up an 11-0 lead in the initial three minutes plus. Midway through the first period IIT closed the gap to 20-16 before the Cards responded with a 14-2 run. The home team led 38-24 at the half.
Vicario was strong coming out of the break, scoring nine points in the first three minutes. A lay-up by Bob Valker (Roselle, Ill./St. Francis) with 11:52 on the clock gave North Central is largest advantage of the game at 30. Valker contributed nine points in the game.
Senior Adam Teising (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) had a solid night, notching eight points, five steals, and a career-high 10 assists. He was 2-of-2 from three point range. Teammate Adam Krumtinger (Towanda, Ill./Normal Community) had a quiet but effective game with eight points and eight rebounds.
For the second straight contest, North Central held its opponent to under 40 percent shooting from the field. Robert Lucky led the Scarlet Hawk scoring with 23 points, while also grabbing 16 boards.