WHEATON, Ill. – The North Park University men's basketball team fell to the Wheaton College Thunder 65-77 inside King Arena on Saturday.
The three-ball was working early for the Vikings in the first half. Sophomore forward Matt Szuba nailed two threes and pulled the Vikings ahead to an early 8-0 lead. Freshman Izaiah Sanders scored the other field goal on a layup. Wheaton guard Aston Francis scored the first six points for the Thunder making the score 8-6 Vikings. The Vikings went on 17-11 run highlighted by threes by Szuba, junior guard Vegard Tangen and sophomore guard Antonio Gardner. North Park led 25-17.
After Wheaton scored the next six points, freshman guard Kindrel Morris hit a three making the score 28-23 North Park. The Vikings only could muster six more points the rest of the half and trailed 37-34 at the half. North Park hit six three-pointers in the half. Szuba led the Vikings with nine points.
Halftime: Wheaton 37 North Park 34
The Vikings scored the first six points of the second half on a three-ball by Szuba, a layup by sophomore guard Toby Marek, and a free throw by Morris making the score 40-37 Vikings. After the Thunder scored 16 of the next 26 points, Tangen hit a three making the score 53-50 Thunder. Wheaton notched the next five points and extended the lead to 58-50 with nine minutes to go.
After Wheaton went on a 7-2 run, Morris buried a three making the score 65-55 Thunder. The Vikings scored the next eight points highlighted by a dunk by Tangen and pulled the Vikings within two at 65-63.
The Thunder were ultimately too much for the Vikings and scored 12 of the final 14 points defeating the Vikings 77-65.
Final: Wheaton 77 North Park 65
Quick Hits:
- Szuba led the Vikings with 14 points.
- Tangen followed close behind with 13 points and Marek scored 12 points.
- Szuba and Sanders led the Vikings with six rebounds apiece.
What's Next?
North Park (4-14, 2-7 CCIW) welcome the Carroll University Pioneers to the North Park Gym on Wednesday, January 23 at 7 p.m.
--NPU--
