Carthage 71, North Park 54
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Carthage women's basketball team traveled to the Windy City for a CCIW contest against the North Park Vikings on Saturday afternoon. The Firebirds got out to a big lead early in the first half and rode the momentum to a victory over the Vikings.



The Firebirds opened the scoring in the first quarter with a layup from Malia Green. The two sides traded points over the first two minutes before a three point play for Grace Cord sparked a 9-0 run for the Firebirds, giving Carthage a 13-4 lead with five minutes to play in the period. The Firebirds would end the quarter with an 18-9 lead over the Vikings. Cord led the way with eight points in the quarter.

Green got the offense started in the second quarter with a three pointer to extend the Carthage lead to 12 points. A three point play for Alyssa Orozco extended the lead further with the Firebirds leading 24-11 with 8:18 to play in the half. The Firebirds then found momentum from behind the three point line, as threes fell for Delaney Elsmore and Nora Ahram to give the Firebirds a 37-18 lead at the half. Green led the Firebirds with seven points in the second quarter and 13 points in the first half.

Cord got the Firebirds started with a layup to open the third quarter, with Green adding to the lead right after with another layup. A 12-0 run for the Vikings brought the deficit down to 43-31 with 5:31 to play, but the Firebirds answered back with a 12-0 run of their own to take a 55-38 lead into the fourth quarter. Green once again led the team with six points in the quarter.

The Vikings scored first in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 15 points. Brecken Carsello responded with the first points of the quarter for the Firebirds on a fastbreak layup. The two teams traded baskets before a pair of threes from Ahram extended the Firebirds lead to 65-45 with 5:14 to play. The two sides traded baskets the rest of the way with Carthage holding on to a 71-54 victory.


 

• Malia Green - 22 points*, 10-19 FG*, 2 steals*
• Nora Ahram - 15 points, 7 rebounds*, 5-9 3PT*
• Grace Cord - 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals*

*led team in stat category



"A CCIW road win is always a great win," said Head Coach Megan Jones. "We shared the ball well and had a well balanced attack on the offensive side. Holding them to two single digit quarters was huge in the first half. We know there are some things to clean up and we'll get back in the gym next week and get focused for Wheaton on Wednesday!"



The Firebirds (10-9, 4-6 CCIW) return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 4 as the team travels to Wheaton, Ill. to face the Wheaton Thunder at 7 p.m. Carthage women's basketball returns to Tarble Arena on Feb. 7 against Millikin. Action begins at 2 p.m. and will be streamed live on the CCIW Network. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.