North Central's first victory of the year was against Robert Morris (88-72) in the first game of the Holiday Inn Select Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 18. However, the Eagles put up a much tougher fight the second time around and came into the game owning a victory over Millikin University, a team the Cardinals lost to just last Saturday.
The Eagles (10-11) trailed only 62-53 with under six minutes remaining until Jeff Larson (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) came off the bench to drain back-to-back three-pointers and give North Central a comfortable 68-53 lead with just under five minutes to play.
"We had some bruised egos from Saturday's game (the loss to Millikin) and that was a game where we didn't value the basketball," said head coach Todd Raridon. "There were some spots where we did the same thing tonight and let them back in the game. However, we were able to withstand any rally that they made in the second half. We got some solid play off the bench from some guys that haven't gotten a whole lot of playing time for us this season. Jeff Larson hit those two big threes off the bench in the second half, and Mitchell Raridon hit a three-pointer for us in the second half that kind of got us going as well."
Anthony Simmons (Bolding, Ill./Romeoville) and Dan Walton (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) paced the North Central attack. Simmons was 11 of 12 from the field for 22 points while also grabbing six rebounds. Walton totaled 24 points on 11 of 17 shooting and collected nine boards. Ray Vicario (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) chipped in 11 points.
The Cardinals resume College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin action Wednesday, Jan. 18, with a 7:30 p.m. game at Carthage College (Wis.).