Photo credits: Dr. Jeff Nelson and Paige Wilcox

CHICAGO – The North Park University men's basketball team suffered a 78-56 loss to the No. 19 North Central College Cardinals on Saturday evening.

Following a three-pointer from North Central's Aiden Chang, freshman guard Jalen Wilmington received a pass from junior guard Toby Marek and buried a three of his own to tie the game.

The Cardinals sent in the next four points before a Marek layup and three-pointer from junior guard Izaiah Sanders brought the Vikings within one at 9-8. 

North Central would do their best to pull away from the Vikings, powering ahead to a 16-10 lead, but a jumper from Wilmington, a layup from junior guard Lawrence Pointer, and a jumper from freshman forward Karl Polk, Jr. put the Vikings within striking distance at 17-16.

Unfortunately, despite putting up a fight in the middle of the first half, the Cardinals outscored the Vikings, 25-11, to grab a 42-27 lead at the half. Pointer led the Vikings with eight points at the half while North Central's Connor Raridon led the Cardinals with 14 points. 

Halftime: North Central 42, North Park 27

North Park could not get anything going in the second half of play, shooting 10-27 (37%) from the field while making just one three-pointer to fall, 78-56.

FINAL: North Central 78, North Park 56

Quick Hits: 

• Wilmington saw a career-high 11 points, adding two steals
• Pointer followed with 10 points
• North Central's Raridon had a game-leading 22 points
• The Cardinals manufactured 30 points in the paint

What's Next?
North Park (1-5, 0-2 CCIW) takes a week off before traveling to Wheaton, Ill. to play Wheaton College (6-2, 2-0 CCIW) on Saturday, December 14. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.