Box Score

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Benedictine University women's basketball team dropped a track meet at North Central, falling 102-98 on Tuesday night.

North Central runs a women's version of the Grinnell 'System' with full court press the entire game and quick shots on the offensive end. Benedictine raced to a 56-44 lead at the half. Meghan Novak opened a 9-0 run with a layup at the 14:56 mark of the first half. Michelle Gaede capped the run with a layup at the 13:44 mark. North Central battled back, taking a one-point lead just past the midway point of the half.

A run of 10-0 put Benedictine back in front by double digits late in the half. Vincenza Ranallo tallied four points during the stretch. Alana Ferry capped the run with a layup, her second of the run, to hand the Eagles a 39-29 lead with 5:13 remaining in the first. North Central closed to within five points before Benedictine stretched the lead to 14 on a pair of occasions late.

The hosts pulled within seven points early in the second and jumped in front with a 14-1 run. Benedictine scored eight consecutive points to grab the lead at 85-79 with 5:46 to play. North Central (3-1) battled back to tie the game and the contest remained within a point up until the 2:13 mark when a three by North Central opened the door to a six point lead and the Cardinals hung on from there.

The contest featured seven ties and 16 lead changes. Benedictine shot a season high 56.7 percent and managed to shoot just four threes the whole game. The Eagles also held a 54-46 edge on the glass. Four players scored in double figures for Benedictine led by 20 from Ranallo. Novak added 19 with Ferry netting 15 along with 10 assists and Nicole Botich 13. Botich added 10 rebounds.

Benedictine (1-3) faces Edgewood on the road Saturday night.