CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University men's basketball team returned home on Wednesday night, dropping a 64-91 contest to the Elmhurst College Bluejays.
The Bluejays vaulted to a 16-2 lead 5 minutes into the first half and later extended that lead to 27-8 after a 3-pointer from Nik Balkcom and layup by Lavon Thomas.
North Park temporarily bounced back when sophomore forward Matt Szuba buried a 3-pointer and sophomore guard Toby Marek burned a Bluejay defender to mark a layup and cut the deficit to 14.
However, Elmhurst stormed back to a 46-26 lead at halftime.
Halftime: Elmhurst 26, North Park 46
In the second half of play, the Vikings weathered a 61-32 Bluejay lead into a 71-56 ball game with 6 minutes to go.
Yet, the Bluejays sent in a pair of 3-pointers from Ryan Patton and Balkcom to nullify any momentum the Vikings were gaining.
Unable to climb back into the game, the Vikings fell 64-91.
Final: Elmhurst 91, North Park 64
Quick Hits:
- All Vikings that dressed participated in tonight's game
- Toby Marek led the Vikings with 16 points
- Alan Nikoletic tallied a career-best 7 points and 3 assists
- Matt Szuba totaled 11 and Jake Ellis came off the bench to add 11 of his own
- Szuba also pulled down 9 rebounds and swatted 2 Elmhurst shots
- Elmhurst's Ireland tallied a powerful 30 points and 11 rebounds
What's Next?
North Park (4-18, 2-11 CCIW) hosts Carthage College this coming Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Before the game, North Park will honor two graduating players in Cardell Simmons and Vegard Tangen.
