Led by a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds from Alyssa Saklak, visiting Millikin University overcame an 18-point first-half deficit to edge host North Park 69-66 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin conference opener for both teams.

Saklak scored 19 of her 27 in the second half as Millikin finished the final 4:26 with a 12-6 scoring run to earn its 10th win of the season. North Park fell to 8-4 on the year.

After NP moved ahead 60-57 on a three-point play from Soly Roman, Millikin used clutch free throw shooting (4 of 5) and a three-point play from Saklak down the stretch to complete a nearly insurmountable comeback. Holly Haskins added 14 points, and Hannah Millington 11 to lead the Big Blue.

The Vikings started the game strong as they opened up a 5-0 lead and later a 14-6 advantage after a pair of free throws from Roman with 13:58 left in the first half. NP then built its lead to 31-13 after Nikki Przybyslawski converted 1 of 2 free throws. But Millikin slowly worked its way back into the game and used a 14-7 run to end the first half, which trimmed the deficit to 38-27.

Despite the loss, North Park recorded a season-low five turnovers and had 16 assists, five from Liz Rehberger and four each from Rachel Torres and Amani Davis. Senior Annie Shain finished with a team-high 14 points, while Rehberger and Davis had 13 each. Junior Nicole Kruckman added 10 as the only other Viking in double-figure scoring.

North Park looks to rebound Wednesday when it travels to Kenosha, Wisconsin for a 7 p.m. contest with Carthage College.