CHICAGO, IL -The North Park University Men's Basketball team took on the 18th-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (3-0) in their fourth home contest in a row.
Strikingly shorter than their opponent, the Vikings made sure to fill the lane and force a physical game early on against the Titans. Junior Billy Kirby continued his hot streak with six of the Vikings' first ten points coming in the form of a pull up jumper and a few left side layups.
With no three-pointers from either team through nine minutes, Aaron Reed drained the first of the game with a perfect shot in the far corner. However, the Titans offense began to wake up with some hard-fought inside shots and a long two-pointer to claim a 16-18 lead.
Trailing by six points after a perfect Titans trip to the free throw line and another layup, the Vikings yearned for a spark. They found that spark when Colin Lake broke the scoreless streak with a layup and a swiped pass that resulted in a shooting foul. Capitalizing on one of two freebies, the Vikings trailed by three points with the first half winding down. Unfortunately, the Titans hit two quick threes to regain their six point lead and the Vikings concluded the first looking to claw their way back.
Trading deep threes right away, the second half promised to be an offensive clinic. Colin Lake hit back-to-back threes and then shook some Titans defenders for an easy finger roll to bring the Vikings within two.
Not ready to give up a comfortable lead, the Titans responded by raining down threes as the deficit extended to double digits. Colin Lake was the lone answer for the Vikings, racking up 23 points in 28 minutes of game time.
Taking advantage of a clear height advantage in the paint, the Titans began feeding the inside with lob passes and uncontested put-backs. This spring-boarded the Titans to a twelve point lead.
Answering the bell again, Colin Lake knocked down the deepest three of the season with nothing but net from six feet beyond the arc. Colin also manufactured three more points when he returned to the free throw line following yet another shooting foul. Adding to the action was Matt Szuba who narrowed the lead to double digits with a three pointer of his own. However, the powerful Titans offense did not take a break as three more quick threes forced a fifteen point lead in the opposition's favor.
This tune did not change through the end of the game as North Park fell to Oshkosh 71-58. Colin Lake had a season-high 29 points in the game, going 4-9 from the three point line and cashing in on 7-11 free throws.
The Vikings return to action on Saturday where they open up CCIW play against North Central College in yet another home contest.
