The Big Blue men's basketball team traveled to Naperville, Ill. on Wednesday, February 14 for a matchup with the Cardinals of North Central College. Millikin fell in the contest 53-64. 

DeMarcus Bond was the leading scorer with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting and rebounder with eight, while Nate Straughter added 10 points.

Millikin was off to a hot start in the first half, jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the first four minutes. After North Central regained their footing, it was a back and forth battle with two more ties before the Cardinals took over in the final three minutes of the half. The Big Blue shot 9-for-25 from the field in the first half, falling to a 23-35 halftime deficit after North Central shot 53.57% from the floor in the first half on 15-for-28 shooting. 

The second half saw the Big Blue start off hot again with seven straight points on two layups by Straughter then a three pointer off the hand of Chase Travis to cut the deficit to five.

The Cardinals were led by Tyler Swierczek with 25 points. 

With the loss, the Big Blue fall to 8-16 overall, 4-11 in College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin play. They will head back to the Griswold Center in Decatur, Ill. for their final matchup of the 2024 season against Carthage on Saturday, February 17.