CHICAGO, Ill -- The North Park University men's basketball team hosted the Millikin University Big Blue (9-7, 3-5 CCIW) on Wednesday night, falling by a score of 58-71.

Millikin took a seven-point lead 7 minutes into the game after the Fisher brothers (Zach and Calvin) buried a pair of 3-pointers to lead the Vikings 18-11.

North Park clawed their way back into the game after a 3-pointer from sophomore guard Antonio Gardner, a jumper in the paint, also from Gardner, and a layup from sophomore guard Izaiah Sanders to cut the Millikin lead to 26-21.

The Big Blue would go on another scoring streak, dropping in a 3-pointer from senior guard Levi Laws and a jumper from senior forward Elijah Henry, extending their lead to 35-27.

However, the Vikings switched the momentum once more on consecutive layups from Sanders, a layup from junior forward Vegard Tangen, and another layup from Sanders with seconds left on the clock. These eight consecutive points put the Vikings right back in the game as the Big Blue led just 35-31 at halftime.

Halftime: North Park 31, Millikin 35

In the second half, Millikin revitalized their double-digit lead as Zach Fisher and Elijah Henry led a scoring drive that put the Big Blue up 52-35 with 13:01 left on the clock.

Yet, the Vikings would chip away once more.

With minutes remaining in the game, sophomore forward Matt Szuba converted on an and-one layup to make the score 55-65 in favor of Millikin. Next, Sanders marked a perfect trip to the free throw line to put the Vikings within 8.

Unfortunately, Millikin went on to score the next six points, five from the Fisher brothers, earning a 71-58 victory.

Final: North Park 58, Millikin 71

Quick Hits:

• Izaiah Sanders led all Vikings scorers with 16 total points on 5-10 from the field
• Matt Szuba swatted 4 Big Blue shots and pulled down 10 rebounds
• Vegard Tangen marked 9 points while Szuba and sophomore guard Jake Ellis added 8 apiece
• Ellis also swiped 3 passes and notched a pair of 3-pointers

What's Next?

North Park (4-13, 2-6 CCIW) hits the road on Wednesday, January 19 for a rematch against Wheaton College, who received votes in this week's D3hoops.com poll. Last time the pair met on December 1, North Park defeated the then #18 Wheaton Thunder 68-65.

Follow the Vikings on Twitter (@VikingsNPU), Facebook (North Park University Athletics), and Instagram (@npuathletics), as well as the newest release of "Around the Horn (PDF)" to keep up on all events, matches, and announcements for North Park University athletics.