Photo credit: Paige Wilcox
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University men's basketball team returned home and fell to the Wheaton College Thunder, 88-69, inside the North Park Gym on Saturday night.
The Vikings got off to a quick start in the first half. Junior guard Toby Marek sent in three-straight 3-pointers as the Vikings jumped out to a 13-1 lead.
Slowly chipping away to trail the Vikings 21-17, sophomore guard Alex Flute marked a couple of field goals and freshman forward Karl Polk, Jr. added a basket of his own, making the score 27-21 in North Park's favor.
Unfortunately, the Thunder struck for 11-straight points until freshman forward Adam Bulwa completed a free throw as Wheaton led, 38-32.
Through the rest of the half, both the Vikings and the Thunder tallied three more points as Wheaton took a 41-35 lead into the locker room. Marek led the Vikings with 16 points and four rebounds. Polk Jr. followed with eight points.
Halftime: Wheaton 41, North Park 35
The Thunder dominated in the second half. North Park got as close as eight points, but Wheaton's potent offensive attack shot 50% from the field (14-28) and 44% from the 3-point line (4-9). The Thunder outscored the Vikings 47-34 in the second half to win, 88-69.
FINAL: Wheaton 88, North Park 69
Quick Hits
- Marek set a new career high with 33 points on 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc
- Polk Jr. followed with 15 points
- Junior forward Matt Szuba and junior guard Izaiah Sanders led the Vikings with 10 rebounds
- Wheaton's Spencer, Cruickshank, and Adom all scored 22 points
What's Next?
The Vikings (4-18, 2-11 CCIW) travel to Kenosha, Wis. to face the Red Men of Carthage College on Wednesday, February 12. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
--NPU--
