Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson

WAUKESHA, Wis. – The North Park University women's basketball team opened College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) play with a come-from-behind win over Carroll University, 62-54, on Wednesday night. 

After going down early in the first quarter, 5-1, the Vikings marked seven unanswered points on a layup from junior guard Zakiya Newsome and four points from sophomore forward Jayla Johnson to capture an 8-5 lead.

The Vikings would hold their lead through the rest of the first quarter, leading 17-11 moving to the second quarter.

In the most bizarre second quarter of the season, the NPU offense would produce zero points. Missing all 15 of their shots in the quarter, North Park would surrender 20 points to Carroll, as the Pioneers stole a 31-17 lead at the half.

Halftime: Carroll 31, North Park 17

North Park would right the ship in the third quarter, outscoring Carroll by a point at 17-16, but the Vikings still faced a 13-point deficit.

Making up for their fourth quarter lull, the Vikings utilized five steals and two blocked shots to outscore the Pioneers by a wide margin of 28-7. 

One of the biggest momentum shifts arrived with four minutes on the clock when Johnson buried a three-pointer and layup in consecutive possessions and Newsome sent in a layup of her own to put North Park up, 54-52.

Following the lead change, Johnson knocked down a jumper and free throw, sophomore guard Emily Czuhajewski tallied a layup, and sophomore center Josie Summerville converted on an and-one layup to pull ahead by a would-be final of 62-54.

FINAL: North Park 62, Carroll 54

Quick Hits:

• Johnson marked a double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds 
• Czuhajewski followed with 11 points
• Johnson also had an astounding eight steals and three blocks
• The Vikings shot 18.75% from the field in the first half and 57.69% in the second half
• The NPU defense totaled 13 steals and four blocks, forcing 28 turnovers
• North Park extends its winning streak to six games

Historical Update:

Johnson's eight steals in a single game ties and all-time best and is the most since Stacy Albrecht stole eight passes against Rockford in 1998.

What's Next?

North Park (6-0, 1-0 CCIW) returns home on Saturday, December 7, for a 5 p.m. game against North Central College (3-4, 1-0 CCIW).