Photo credit: David Malamut, d3photography.com
WHEATON, Ill. -- Looking to avenge their 2019 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Tournament loss, the North Park University women's basketball team topped Wheaton College, 71-58, on Saturday night.
The Vikings got off to a good start in the first quarter marking seven of the first 11 points, highlighted by an and-one layup by junior guard Zakiya Newsome. After five-straight points by the Thunder, sophomore guard Emily Czuhajewski hit a three putting the Vikings back in front at 10-9.
This back-and-forth first quarter ended with the Vikings holding the Thunder to only two more points as North Park held an 18-12 lead.
First Quarter: North Park 18, Wheaton 12
The second quarter showcased the Thunder offense as 13 of the first 16 points went to Wheaton, causing North Park to trail, 25-21. During that stretch, senior guard Angelina Villasin tallied a three-pointer. marking the lone field goal for the Vikings.
With under four minutes to go, the Viking offense began to heat up. After sophomore forward Jayla Johnson scored a jumper and sophomore Lauren Lee buried a three-pointer and two free throws, North Park regained a 28-25 lead.
The Vikings finished the second quarter with a 31-28 lead. Villasin led the Vikings with seven points and Lee followed with six points.
Halftime: North Park 31, Wheaton 28
Both teams started the third quarter slow. The Vikings only marked five points while the Thunder scored only three making the score 35-32. Czuhajewski notched the lone field goal for the Vikings beyond the arc.
With five minutes left, the Vikings and Thunder picked up the scoring. With the score 37-34, Czuhajewski hit another three and extended the Viking lead to six at 40-34. The Vikings managed only two more field goals the rest of the third quarter, but held a 49-43 lead going into the final 10 minutes of the game. Czuhajewski led the Vikings with 12 points and 4-for-7 shooting from behind the arc.
Third Quarter; North Park 49, Wheaton 43
Early in the fourth quarter, the Thunder climbed back into the game, hitting two three-pointers in a row, making the score 54-51, Vikings. With three and a half minutes to go and the Thunder within two at 57-55, Czuhajewski made her sixth three of the game and grew the Viking lead to 60-55.
Holding on to their lead, the Vikings only gave up one field goal in the final three minutes of the game to defeat the Thunder, 71-58.
Final: North Park 71, Wheaton 58
Quick Hits:
- Czuhajewski set a new season high with 21 points, going 6-for-9 from beyond the arc
- Newsome followed with 14 points and Lee added 10 points
- Johnson led the Vikings grabbing nine rebounds and Lee followed with eight
- As a team, the Vikings shot a season-high 57% from beyond the arc
- Despite a size disadvantage, North Park out-rebounded Wheaton, 39-36
- The Vikings have tied their best start to the season (eight-straight wins) since 2012
Historical Note:
Czuhajewski's six three-pointers tonight is the most a Viking has made in one game since Hannah Rehfeldt marked three of her own, also against Wheaton, on February 12, 2012. Her six threes in tonight's game ties a single-game second-best in Viking women's basketball history. Additionally, North Park had not earned a win over Wheaton on the road since the 1988-89 season.
What's Next?
The Vikings (8-0, 3-0 CCIW) continue their lengthy road trip traveling down to Orlando, Fla. to face fourth-ranked Hope College. Action at the Orlando Magic practice facility starts at 4 p.m.
--NPU--
