Box Score

The North Park men's basketball team was edged 87-80 by visiting Carthage College in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action Tuesday night.

North Park enjoyed as much as an 11-point lead in the second half at 54-43 after a three-pointer from junior Mark Holmes, who finished with a team-high 24 points. But Carthage slowly turned the deficit into a 62-61 advantage after putting together a 19-7 scoring run over a five-minute span. The Red Men then pushed their lead to 10 at 80-70 after Malcom Kelly buried a three-pointer with just under three minutes left.

The Vikings did fight back to close within five in the final minute on a lay-up from senior Emanuel Crosby, but couldn't draw any closer. In addition to Holmes' double-figure night, Crosby finished with his first 20-point game of the season and his first double-double as he grabbed 12 rebounds.

Senior Roshawn Russell was the only other Viking in double figures as he tallied 17. North Park out-rebounded Carthage 37-31, including 24-20 on the defensive end, but 19 crucial turnovers led to 30 points for the Red Men. Kelly led Carthage with 27 points.

North Park (5-15, 1-8) returns to action Saturday when it travels to Bloomington for a 7 p.m. contest with Illinois Wesleyan University.