PICTURED: Colin Lake

CHICAGO, IL - In their third home contest in a row, the North Park University Men's Basketball team (0-2) took on city-rival University of Chicago (2-0).

The Maroons' deep-shooting style of play was a factor immediately, launching two deep threes to jump out to a 6-2 lead early in the game. The Viking's response was the opposite: drive the lane. Dyron Woods and Aaron Reed moved the ball around until they found space. When room opened up, the Vikings offense was there for an open layup to the basket.

This approach was repeated over and over. The Maroons would throw up a three-pointer, then the Vikings would answer with an open layup. 

Matt Szuba stifled the first chance of a University of Chicago layup, stuffing the attempted attack to the basket before the ball even left his opponents' hand.

The Vikings slightly altered their approach to match their opponents with three-point attempts falling short.

However, the Vikings were finally able to find their touch when freshman Matt Mohr knocked down a three from the left side. Unfortunately, the Maroons quickly stretched their lead as threes began to rain down.

Holding fast, the Vikings went back to their old form and drove the lane, chipping away with some hard-earned layups and an and-one. This 9-0 run narrowed the Maroons' lead to just eight points headed into the second half.

Quickly leading the NPU charge in the second half was senior guard Colin Lake. Colin had ten points in the first couple minutes of the second half, bringing the Vikings within five. 

After a few more three-pointers from the University of Chicago, freshman Matt Mohr wanted to get in on the action. Matt had five points, with a rebound, steal, and dunk to move the Vikings within five of their opponent. Matt Szuba narrowed the lead further two with a three-pointer on the right side of the arc.

The Vikings and Maroons traded shots for much of the second half in a similar fashion: three-pointers from the Maroons and points in the paint for the Vikings.

Within four points, Matt Szuba tacked on yet another clutch three for the Vikings to narrow the lead by a shot. Only nine seconds remained on the clock as the Vikings drove the floor. Sticking to their plan, Szuba found an open Billy Kirby, giving him an easy layup and the Vikings their first lead of the game 68-67. After Aaron Reed broke up an attempted inbounding pass, the University of Chicago put Billy Kirby on the line. With ice in his veins, Billy knocked down both free throws to seal a Vikings win 70-67.

North Park (1-2) is set to face the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh next Tuesday in another home contest at 7 PM.

Also included in the excitement: Colin Lake inches closer and closer to 1,000 career points in a Vikings uniform.