NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The North Park women's basketball team need overtime but found a way to topple the North Central Cardinals Wednesday night, winning by a score of 84-79.
Esther Miller scored the first five points of the contest, a game in which the Vikings would never trail. From there, the four other starters would each grab two points while only allowing two total from the Cardinals for a 13-2 NPU lead. NCC responded with a small run, but the Vikings would keep a solid cushion for most of the first half and it would get even bigger on a 7-0 that came from buckets by Miller, Chantel Hairston, and a three from Lauren Lee. The Cardinals would again respond to cut it back down to single digits and when Emily Czuhajewski finished off the first half with a bucket, North Park took a seven-point edge into the locker room.
Halftime: North Park 42, North Central 35
The break did not slow down Miller, as she hit a bucket with six minutes left in the third to put the visiting Vikings up 12. Jayla Johnson then went on a run, bearing the bulk of the scoring for NPU. However, the Cards finished on another run to cut their deficit to only seven with just one quarter to go.
In the fourth, the Cardinals would go on a 5-0 run in the final 2:39 to force overtime. The three free throws that NCC hit with two second to go created the first tie since it was 0-0 to start the game.
End of Regulation: North Park 69, North Central 69
Jayla Johnson scored the first bucket of the extra period, and from there the Cardinals could not equalize again as North Park locked them down on defense and scored enough on offense (and at the free-throw line) to get the job done.
Final: North Park 84, North Central 79
Quick Hits:
- A career night for Esther Miller who plunked in a career-high 25 points, to go along with six boards and three steals. Miller played all 45 minutes in the OT victory.
- Jayla Johnson returned to the court with a double-double scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
- Lauren Lee and Chantel Hairston each had 13 points, to go along with seven and eight rebounds, respectively.
What's Next?
The Vikings (11-4, 4-3 CCIW) will host the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan (10-6, 7-0 CCIW) on Monday, January 24th. Tipoff is set for 7 PM at NPU Gymnasium.
