PICTURED Colin Lake

North Park held off a furious late North Central rally to earn its 10th win of the season – a 76-73 win – behind 18 points from junior Colin Lake Saturday night.

Lake buried a pair of second-half three-pointers, including one in the final 5:17, to push the Vikes to their third CCIW win of the year and their fourth victory in the last five games.

After a T.J. Cobbs fast break lay-up off a Juwan Henry steal gave North Park a 62-48 lead with 10:42 remaining, North Central used the next eight minutes to put together a 23-9 scoring run to tie the score at 71-71 on a pair of Matt Cappelletti free throws. Both teams then traded baskets on their ensuing possessions but it wasn't until a pair of Jordan Robinson free throws with 30 seconds left that kept the Vikes in front for good. One of two free throws from Cobbs then decided the final verdict.

NP overcame a slow start and used an 8-1 run to move ahead 27-20 on a Dyron Woods' jumper with 6:42 left in the first half. After Alex Sorenson brought the hosts to within one at 36-35 on a lay-up with 1:06 remaining, Lake converted three free throws just before halftime to give the Vikes a 39-35 edge at the break.

Lake did most of his damage in the first half as he went for 10 of his 18 points. Four different Vikings finished in double-figure scoring. Along with Lake, Henry finished with 17 points while Robinson added 14 and six rebounds. Cobbs tallied 13 points and he, along with Henry and Robinson, had four assists each. North Park generated seven steals off 16 turnovers and had 18 points off the mistakes. They also out-scored NCC 10-0 in transition points. Sorenson led North Central with a game-high 23 points.

North Park (10-2, 3-2) returns to action Wednesday night when it hosts Wheaton College for a 7 p.m. contest.