Photo credit: Paige Wilcox
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University men's basketball team opened College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) play with a 75-63 loss to Carroll University inside the NPU Gym on Wednesday night.
The Pioneers started hot out of the gate, hitting two threes and a jumper to hold an early 8-2 lead.
As the gap widened to 20-9, the Vikings eclipsed the double-digit mark on a jumper by junior guard Izaiah Sanders.
With the score 28-17, freshman Jalen Wilmington made a pair of layups and junior forward Matt Szuba drilled a three, pulling the Vikings within four at 28-24.
However, the Pioneers scored 10-straight points until junior guard Toby Marek made a jumper, making the score 38-26. That same score held going into the half. Szuba led the Vikings with eight points and seven rebounds and freshman forward Karl Polk Jr. followed with six points.
Halftime: Carroll 38, North Park 26
In the second half, with the score 45-29, Szuba made two threes and Marek tallied a layup pulling the Vikings within eight. After Carroll hit two free throws, freshman guard Jacquan Binion score the next five points, making the score 50-42. Following a free throw from Sanders, Carroll rattled off eight of the next ten points and took a 65-53 lead.
The Vikings and Pioneers scored 10 points each the rest of the game as Carroll held on to defeat North Park 75-63.
Final: Carroll 75, North Park 63
Quick Hits :
- Szuba marked a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds
- Marek notched 14 points and Binion contributed with 10 points
- Binion led the Vikings with six assists
What's Next?
The Vikings (1-4, 0-1 CCIW) continue its homestand on Saturday, December 7 welcoming the Cardinals of North Central College. Tipoff is set to follow 7 p.m., following the women's game, inside the NPU Gym.
