The loss was the first for 12th-ranked North Central, which fell to 12-1 overall and 2-1 in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin. Millikin improved to 8-6/2-2.
After leading nearly the entire game, Millikin took a 55-54 lead with 3:24 to play when freshman Drew Gensler canned an 18-foot jumper. Two free throws from Gensler gave the Big Blue a 57-54 advantage with 2:10 to go, but Walton evened it up with a three-pointer to tie it at 57s. Gensler responded with another jumper for a 59-57 lead with 1:39 to play.
Adam Teising (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) hit 1 of 2 from the line to bring North Central to within one at 59-58 with 45 seconds to play. The Cardinal 'D' forced a shot-clock violation on the next possession, setting up the chance for the last shot with five seconds to play.
Anthony Simmons (Bolingbrook, Ill./Romeoville) led North Central with 21 points while Walton finished with 14. Millikin was led by Gensler's 18 points. Mike Gavic and Lance Brooks 12 chipped in 12 apiece.
In the first half, North Central went up 24-16 after Simmons kicked it out to Walton for a wide-open three-pointer. The Cardinals extended the lead to 10 points at 28-18 but Millikin ended the half on a 7-0 run to make the score 28-25 at the break.
North Central plays at Robert Morris College (Springfield, Ill.) in its final nonconference game of the season Monday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 88-72 in the first game of the Holiday Inn Select Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 18.