Photo credit: Paige Wilcox

CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University women's basketball team returned home, for the first time since December 7, and defeated the Millikin University Big Blue, 61-53, inside the North Park Gym on Wednesday night.

Through five minutes of the first quarter, neither team could muster much of any offense as the Vikings outscored the Big Blue by a small margin of 5-2.  

However, the Vikings caught fire with a little help from the 3-point shot.  Sophomore guard Emily Czuhajewski marked a pair of 3-pointers while senior guard Angelina Villasin added one of her own.  

In the closing minute of the first quarter, Millikin scored the last five points to stay on the heels of North Park, 16-14.

First Quarter: North Park 16, Millikin 14

The Vikings and the Big Blue played a neck-and-neck second quarter as neither team led by no more than four points. 

With two minutes left in the second quarter, and Millikin up 28-25, the Vikings came back with a clutch 3-pointer from Czuhajewski and a layup by sophomore forward Jayla Johnson. The baskets gave the Vikings a 30-28 lead over the Big Blue at halftime. Czuhajewski led all scorers with 10 points and junior guard Zakiya Newsome contributed with six points.  Johnson led the Vikings with five rebounds.  

Halftime: North Park 30, Millikin 28

Clinging to a two-point lead at the beginning of the third quarter, the Vikings were outscored 7-2 until Johnson hit a layup making the score 35-34, Millikin. Next, the Vikings took the lead on a jumper by junior guard Sinead Molloy.  

After Millikin regained a 41-36 lead, Czuhajewski buried a 3-pointer and a fastbreak layup to knot the game at 41 all going into the final quarter.

Third Quarter: North Park 41, Millikin 41

In the fourth quarter, the Vikings notched nine of the first 14 points and led 50-46.  During that stretch, Czuhajewski knocked down her fifth 3-pointer of the contest.  After the Big Blue cut the Viking lead to two at 50-48, the Vikings marked five straight points and grew their lead to seven at 55-48.  

In the last two minutes of the game, the Vikings stifled the Big Blue offense; Millikin scored just five points as North Park won, 61-53. 

Final: North Park 61, Millikin 53

Quick Hits: 

• Johnson tallied up her second straight double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds
• Czuhajewski led the Vikings with 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting from behind the arc
• Newsome rounded out the double-digit scorers with 14 points
• Despite a size disadvantage, the Vikings out-rebounded the Big Blue, 43-38.  

What's Next? 

The Vikings (12-3, 5-1 CCIW) conclude their two-game homestand welcoming the Vikings of Augustana College on Saturday, January 18.  Tipoff inside the North Park Gym is set for 5 p.m. 

--NPU--