CHICAGO, Ill. — The North Park University men's basketball team began its three-game home stretch on Monday night, falling to the Knox College Prairie Fire, 74-61.
In the first half, the Vikings and Praire Fire played a highly contested first 10 minutes. as neither team could holda lead more than two points. Moving ahead to a 22-18 game in favor of Knox, North Park freshman guard Jacquan Binion made a layup, closing the gap to a one possession game. However, the Prairie Fire marked five unanswered points and extended their lead to 27-20.
After freshman Darion Binion and Jacquan Binion notched field goals to make the score 27-24, the Prairie Fire came back with a three-pointer to bring their lead back to six. Next, junior forward Matt Szuba added a three-pointer to cut the lead to 30-27, but Knox junior guard Ethan Meeker dropped in a desperation three-pointer as time expired in the first half to mark a six-point lead at 33-27. Szuba led the Vikings with seven points in the half and freshman guard Jalen Wilmington contributed six points off the bench.
Halftime: Knox 33, North Park 27
Knox started the second half strong as they marked 13 of the first 15 points of the half to hold a 46-29 lead. With the score moving to 56-41, the Vikings cut the deficit to six points, highlighted by a three-pointer from junior guard Lawrence Pointer, to make the score 56-47.
Unfortunately, Knox proved to be too much for the Vikings as they held on to top the Vikings, 74-61.
Final: Knox 74, North Park 61
Quick Hits:
- Szuba led the Vikings with 13 points
- Sanders and Jacquan Binion contributed 10 points each
- Sanders led the Vikings with seven rebounds
What's Next?
The Vikings (1-7, 0-3 CCIW) welcome the Regents of Rockford University to the North Park Gym on Wednesday, December 18. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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