CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University men's basketball team started its three-game homestand falling to the Augustana College Vikings, 73-54, inside the North Park Gym on Saturday evening.   

At the start of the first half, North Park marked 12 of the first 21 points to hold an early 12-9 lead. That stretch was highlighted by freshman forward Karl Polk Jr. and junior guard Izaiah Sanders, who scored four points each. With Augustana up 26-22, Sanders and Polk Jr. both marked field goals to tie the score at 26. North Park marked four more points before halftime, holding a slim lead of 30-29.

Halftime: North Park 30, Augustana 29

The second half started neck-and-neck as both teams were deadlocked at 36. Next, North Park scored eight unanswered points to go up, 44-36.  Junior guard Toby Marek scored half of those points in the scoring stretch. Unfortunately, Augustana turned the tide on North Park, scoring 17 unanswered points, to lead 53-44. 

Augustana outscored North Park 44-24 in the second half and won, 73-54.   

Final: Augustana 73, North Park 54 

Quick Hits:  

• Sanders led the Vikings with 14 points

• Marek and Polk Jr. rounded out the double-digit scorers with 13 and 12, respectively

• Polk Jr. led the Vikings with nine rebounds while junior forward Matt Szuba followed with seven

• Szuba added four blocked shots

What's Next?  

The Vikings (2-14, 0-7 CCIW) continue its three-game homestand welcoming the Big Red of Carthage College on Wednesday, January 25. Tipoff inside the North Park Gym is set for 7 p.m.  

--NPU--