PICTURED: Chaun Maiava

North Park's near comeback just fell short Saturday night as the Vikings suffered a 23-17 setback to host Millikin University in CCIW action.

Despite a 23-7 halftime deficit, the second half belonged to the visitors as they put together two successful scoring drives, including a second touchdown run from sophomore Enrique Menedez, who finished with 85 yards on 11 carries.

Menendez' first TD score – a one-yard scamper which ended a 4-play, 71-yard drive – came just before the end of the first quarter. An Alexis Santillan 33-yard field goal, his career long, then trimmed the Viking deficit to 23-10 early in the fourth quarter, but Millikin's high-powered offense which generated nearly 400 yards (387) proved to be too much for North Park.

Senior quarterback T.D. Conway completed 22 of his 38 passes for 187 yards. Both Kadarius Daniels and Martin Tigilau each had five catches for 40 yards. Defensively, junior linebacker Chaun Maiava recorded a season-high 17 tackles, including one tackle for a loss of three yards and one sack. Mark Mamola added 10 tackles and three tackles for a loss of nine yards. Both Nick French and Chris Washington each had an interception and French recorded two pass breakups.

North Park (1-4, 0-3) looks to rebound Saturday when it returns home to host CCIW foe North Central College at 1 p.m.