CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University women's basketball team opened play at the 2019 NPU Thanksgiving Tournament defeating the Buena Vista University Beavers, 53-46, inside the North Park Gym on Friday Night. 

The Vikings started the first quarter scoring eight of the first 11 points making the score 8-3.  However, the Beavers picked up their pace to outscore the Vikings, 9-7, the rest of the quarter.  North Park still held a 15-12 lead, but looked to build in the second quarter.  Sophomore Emily Czuhajewski led the Vikings with three points while sophomore Jayla Johnson grabbed a pair of rebounds.

First Quarter: North Park 15, Buena Vista 12

The two teams played a very close start to the second quarter. With the score tied at 19, the Beavers made two field goals before junior Sinead Molloy hit a three-pointer, pulling the Vikings within one point at 23-22.  The Beavers scored nine-straight points to end the second quarter and led 32-22 going into halftime.  Summerville led the Vikings with four points and four rebounds. 

Halftime: Buena Vista 32, North Park 22

North Park started the third quarter on a hot streak.  Johnson notched the first eight points for the Vikings against only two for the Beavers, moving the score to 34-30, Buena Vista.  After sophomore Kayla Patterson made a lay-up, Johnson tied the game with a jumper.  Next, the Beavers made a three and Molloy made a lay-up making the score 37-36, Beavers, going into the fourth quarter. Johnson led the Vikings with 14 points and Summerville led the team with five rebounds. 

Third Quarter: Buena Vista 37, North Park 36

North Park took the lead in the early part of the fourth quarter on a lay-up by junior Zakiya Newsome.  The Vikings added a jumper by Johnson and a three-pointer by Czuhajewski to go up, 43-37.  Wit the score 44-40 after a Beaver basket, Czuhajewski drilled a three-pointer, extending the Viking lead to 47-40. 

The Vikings held the Beavers to just one more field goal the rest of the was as North Park defeated Buena Vista, 53-46. 

Final: North Park 53, Buena Vista 46

Quick Hits

• Johnson led the Vikings with 18 points on 9-for-14 shooting
• Czuhajewski followed with nine points
• Summerville led the Vikings with 11 rebounds, including seven on the defensive end
• The Vikings outscored the Beaver bench 17-4

What's Next?

The Vikings (3-0) conclude play at the NPU Thanksgiving Tournament hosting the Comets of Olivet College at 3 p.m. inside of the North Park Gym on Saturday, November 23.  

--NPU--