North Central seized control of the game in the first half and only trailed once the entire game (16-15 at the 11:35 mark of the first half). The teams started evenly, playing to an 18-18 tie after Carthage's Keena Johnson hit a short jumper with 10 minutes remaining. North Central then ended the half with a 13-4 run to lead 31-22 at the break. Anthony Simmons (Bolingbrook, Ill./Romeoville) and Dan Walton (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) each hit short jumpers in the run against Carthage's matchup zone. The Cardinals shot 52 percent from the floor (13 of 25) but were only 3 of 9 from the line. Carthage was 10 of 25 from the floor in the first half and 0 of 2 from the line. Walton's 10 points led North Central while Pat Kalamatas' nine led the Redmen.
The Cardinals stretched their lead to 12 at 45-32 in the second half after Adam Teising (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) had a steal and layup. On the ensuing possession, Teising again played the thief role, and this time the junior point guard dished to Mike Wilson (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) for the easy deuce for a 47-32 lead with 10:14 remaining. Danny Doyle (Wheaton, Ill./Glenbard West) gave North Central its biggest lead at 54-36 with eight minutes remaining after nailing a wide-open three-pointer.
Simmons finished with 20 points and eight rebounds to lead all players. Wlaton added 14 points and six boards, and Ray Vicario (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) chipped in 11. Carthage was led by Kalamatas' 13 points. Kyle Jeffery added 10.