On Wednesday, the Cardinals led 29-27 at halftime but lost the services of both Adam Krumtinger (Towanda, Ill./Normal) and Anthony Simmons (Bolinbrook, Ill./Romeoville) early in the second half because of foul trouble. North Central lost Simmons for good with 8:29 remaining and a 42-40 lead after he picked up his fifth foul.
Elmhurst capitalized on the loss and seized a 44-42 lead after Chris Ihlenfeldt drained a three-pointer at the eight-minute mark. Dan Walton (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) stepped up and seized an offensive rebound on a free throw in addition to a steal and layup to put North Central back up at 48-44 with 7:05 remaining.
Elmhurst later took a 56-54 lead with 3:28 on the clock after Chris Martin completed a conventional three-point play. But North Central tied it on a layup by Chris Drennan (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington), went up two on a drive by Adam Teising (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) and took a four-point lead at 60-56 lead on two free throws by Walton.
Despite a three-pointer by Ihlenfeldt that made the score 60-59 with 1:38 remaining, the Bluejays missed shots on their next two possessions. After Vicario hit two free throws with five seconds remaining for a 62-59 lead, Elmhurst’s Martin was unable to get up a final shot.
Drennan’s 17 points and nine rebounds led North Central. Vicario added 16 points, and Walton 10 points and nine boards. Martin paced Elmhurst with 23 points. Ihlenfeldt finished with 11.
North Central concludes the regular season with a 7:30 p.m. home game vs. Augustana College (Ill.) Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m.