The Cardinals fell behind early 9-3 before going on an 8-0 run to take an 11-9 lead with 14:08 on the clock in the first half. The teams went into the break tied at 35s.
Carthage seized control midway through the second half, taking a 62-57 lead after a three-pointer by Mark Morrison with 8:30 to play. After Trey Bowens scored on a layup, the lead was stretched to 64-57 with 7:56 on the clock. A three-pointer by Ray Vicario (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) caught the gap to six with 5:02 to play, but layups by Scott Hood and Keena Johnson stretched the lead back out to nine at 73-64 with 3:55 remaining. The Cardinals also lost Dan Walton (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) with four minutes remaining when he fouled out. The Red Men sank 9 of 11 free throws in the final three minutes to hold off any chances of a comeback.
North Central was led by Anthony Simmons' (Bolingbrook, Ill./Romeoville) 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Vicario added 13 points and Walton 10 points and seven boards.
Carthage was led by Kyle Jeffery's 20 points and seven rebounds. Morrison scored 16 points, Johnson 15 and Hood and Malik Imani 12 apiece. Hood also added seven assists.
North Central plays at Elmhurst College Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7:30 p.m.