Photo credit: Dr. Jeff Nelson
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University women's basketball team concluded its two-game homestand with a 78-70 come-from-behind win over Augustana College on Saturday night.
Both teams got off to fast starts but Augustana marked 12 of the first 19 points and led 12-7. Augustana kept their foot on the gas and marked six-straight points until sophomore guard Emily Czuhajewski drilled a 3-pointer making the score 18-10. That score would hold through the rest of the quarter as Augustana led North Park, 18-10, going into the second quarter
First Quarter: Augustana 18, North Park 10
At the beginning of the second quarter, Augustana pulled in front by as much as 11 but North Park cut the lead to six points. After Augustana scored a 3-pointer, sophomore forward Jayla Johnson and junior guard Sinead Molloy both hit field goals, diminishing the lead to four at 29-25. Augustana then halted North Park's momentum marking two straight 3-point baskets.
With three minutes left in the second quarter, and trailing by 10 at 35-25, North Park scored seven unanswered points making the score 37-34. During that run, the Vikings converted two and-one opportunities. However, Augustana marked two last-second free throws and took a 39-34 lead into the locker room. Johnson led North Park with 13 points and junior guard Lauryn Alba Garner and sophomore guard Jacki Rapp each led North Park with three rebounds. Augustana shot a blistering 71.4% (5-7) beyond the arc.
Halftime: Augustana 39, North Park 34
Down by five, North Park consistently kept the game within two points until Czuhajewski drained a 3-pointer and took the lead at 49-47.
After Augie tied the game at 51,Czuhajewski stayed hot with another 3-pointer and junior guard Zakiya Newsome tallied a free throw; North Park took its biggest lead of the game at 55-51. Both teams marked field goals in the final minute as North Park led, 58-55, at the end of the third quarter.
Third Quarter: North Park 58, Augustana 55
In the fourth quarter, both teams notched two field goals each and are deadlocked the score 60 with 6:30 left on the clock. After Augustana marked a 3-pointer, cutting the game to 67-66, North Park marked eight of the next 10 points to distance themselves from Augustana at 75-68. During that stretch, Czuahjewski and Newsome marked back-to-back 3-pointers.
Taking advantage of 28 Augustana turnovers and North Park earned a 78-70 win.
Final: North Park 78, Augustana 70
Quick Hits:
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Johnson led the Vikings with 26 points, eight rebounds, and five steals
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Czuhajewski followed with 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc
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Molloy and Newsome rounded out the double-digit scoring totals with 12 and 11 points, respectively
What's Next?
The Vikings (13-3, 6-1 CCIW) travel to play the Lady Reds of Carthage College on Wednesday, January 22. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
--NPU--
