Photo courtesy of Dr. Jeff Nelson, North Park University
CHICAGO, IL – Facing their toughest opponent of the season, the North Park University Men's basketball team hosted the 8th-ranked Augustana Vikings.
Starting the opening half off with a bang, senior Colin Lake knocked down a quick three to give the home Vikings a 3-2 lead.
Augustana responded minutes later with a three-pointer and layup to earn a 10-7 lead.
Utilizing the three once more, North Park's Vegard Tangen found the bottom of the net in the deep corner to take back the lead at 13-12.
Reestablishing the lead 18-16, North Park seemed to have all the momentum against the 8th-ranked Augustana Vikings.
However, the visiting Vikings found a spark with just under 8 minutes to go and captured a 34-26 lead.
Junior guard Jack Gurvey reignited the NPU offense when he buried a three one step beyond the arc and forcing a timeout from the Augustana bench.
Responding once more, Augustana moved to a double-digit lead; 39-29. The visiting Vikings kept that momentum through the rest of the first half and led North Park 43-32.
Vegard Tangen had the breakout first half for the Vikings as he totaled 10 points on 3 three-pointers.
The early minutes of the second half mirrored the end of the first, with both Viking teams trading shots back and forth.
A perfect trip to the charity stripe by Matt Szuba forced an Augustana timeout and the Vikings looked to narrow an 8 point lead.
Augustana 53, North Park 45.
Not ready to roll over, North Park went on a stellar run. Jack Gurvey, Antonio Gardner and Matt Szuba all sent in shots beyond the arc to narrow Augie's lead to a single point.
As shots fell between both teams, the game stayed tight at 60-64 in Augustana's favor.
Unable to recreate the magic they had earlier, North Park fell to the 8th-Ranked Augustana Vikings 60-74.
The Vikings continue with their CCIW schedule next Wednesday night when they host Carroll University.
