CHICAGO -- The North Park University men's basketball team concluded its play in 2019 defeating the Illinois College Blueboys, 84-81, inside the North Park Gym on Friday night. 

The Vikings started the first quarter scoring 12 of the first 23 points, highlighted by eight points from junior guard Toby Marek.  

Moving to a score of 22-20, Vikings, the Blueboys made two three-pointers and a jumper to capture a 28-22 lead. Following four points from the Vikings and a three from the Blueboys, junior guard Izaiah Sanders drained a three to shrink the Illinois College lead to two.  

Illinois College continued to stay hot, eventually growing their lead to nine points, until North Park notched the final four points of the first half on three free throws and a field goal by junior forward Matt Szuba.

The gained momentum helped the Vikings, but they still found themselves trailing, 43-39, at the half. Marek led the Vikings with 11 points and Szuba contributed seven points while freshman forward Adam Bulwa came off the bench to lead the Vikings with five boards. The Blueboys shot an impressive 45% from the three-point line (9-of-20) and the Vikings shot 50% from the field.  

Halftime: Illinois College 43, North Park 39

At the start of the second half, the Vikings closed the gap on the Blueboys with baskets from Marek and Jacquan Binion and cut the Blueboy lead to only one point.  

With 11 minutes left, the Blueboys extended their lead to as much as nine points, 63-54, as the Vikings looked for an answer.

The Vikings found that answer in layups by freshman forward Karl Polk Jr., Sanders, and freshman Darion Binion, as North Park was in striking distance, 66-64, with eight minutes to go.

Next, Marek gave the Vikings their first lead of the game with a three-pointer and Jacquan Binion marked a jumper and three-pointer, extending the Viking lead to 74-68.  With a minute left, and the Blueboys putting the Vikings at the charity stripe eight times, the Vikings marked seven of eight free throws. 

Illinois College stayed on the heels of North Park, but the Vikings came out on top, 84-81.

Final: North Park 84, Illinois College 81

Quick Hits: 

• Marek marked a season-high 26 points 
• Jacquan Binion also marked a season-high 20 points on 4-of-6 from beyond the arc
• Bulwa grabbed a season-high six rebounds and marked nine points

What's Next? 

The Vikings (2-8, 0-3 CCIW) enjoy a long break before traveling to play Adrian College on Thursday, January 2. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. 

--NPU--