Thanks to Paige Wilcox, Virginia Smith, and Dr. Jeff Nelson for the pictures
CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park University women's basketball team concluded the 2021-22 season in their home gym on Tuesday night, falling to fifth-seeded Wheaton College 63-54 in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) tournament.
Wheaton took a four-point lead early in the first quarter before an and-one layup by Chantel Hairston got things started for the Vikings. Next, Jayla Johnson - who was a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line on the evening, buried her first two free shots of the game to take a one-point lead.
North Park further extended their first quarter lead on a layup by Emily Czuhajewski, three pointer by Lauren Lee, and short jumper for Johnson. After the first 10 minutes of play, the Vikings were outpacing the Thunder by a score of 12-5.
Wheaton picked up the pace in the second quarter, utilizing a final two-and-a-half minute burst to score 10 points, grabbing a 31-24 advantage at halftime.
North Park battled back late in the final quarter thanks to four points including an and-one layup for Hairston, and a steal leading to a fastbreak layup for Esther Miller.
However, Wheaton never gave up their second quarter lead as the Thunder advanced to the next day of the CCIW tournament with a 63-54 win.
Quick Hits:
- Near double-double for Johnson in her final game as a Viking - 17pts 8reb
- Career high 16 points for Hairston
- Four steals for Miller, three for Johnson
- Vikings out-rebounded 47-28
- Wheaton's Annika Richardson leads the way with 21pts
Thank you, Seniors:
Thanks to one of the most talented and accomplished Viking women's basketball classes in recent history. Emily Czuhajewski, Nicole Hansen, Jayla Johnson, Lauren Lee, Alana Santos, and Josie Summerville have all left a significant hand print on NPU Athletics and we thank them for their time and dedication to North Park University.
