Box Score

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Lyndsie Long scored a team-high 18 points and became Elmhurst College's all-time leading scorer as the Bluejay women's basketball team upended North Central College to secure a spot in the upcoming CCIW Tournament.

Elmhurst (16-8, 9-4 CCIW) led 17-14 early in the first half and used a 27-6 run to take a commanding 44-20 lead at halftime. The Bluejays built a 30-point second-half advantage and led by 20 points with 3:30 remaining. North Central closed on a 12-4 run to make the final score 79-67 in favor of the Bluejays.

With the victory, coupled with a loss by Wheaton College, the Bluejays have clinched one of the four spots for next weekend's CCIW Tournament.

Long shot 7-of-15 from the floor to total a team-leading 18 points. In the process, With her 11th point of the contest, Long became Elmhurst's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Karen Kinsella's mark of 1,780 points. Long now stands at 1,788 points. In addition to her 18 points, Long totaled a team-leading nine rebounds and four assists.

Four other Bluejays reached double-figures in scoring. Kelsey Monroe came off the bench to scored 15 while shooting 6-of-9 from the field.Megan Ney and Meghan Merklein totaled 14 points apiece in the victory. Merklein added eight boards while Rashida Joiner totaled 12 points for the Bluejays.

North Central was led by Jackie Errico's 19 points and nine rebounds. Latrice Newson and Jenna Hoffman added 12 points apiece while Christine Karl totaled 10.

Elmhurst shot 53.3 percent from the floor (32-of-60), including 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from downtown. The Bluejays struggled from the foul line, shooting just 56.3 percent (9-of-16).

North Central finished the contest shooting 37.7 percent (20-of-53) from the field, including 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from 3-point range.

Elmhurst closes out the regular season by hosting Wheaton College on Saturday, February 20.