OSHKOSH, Wis. -- In a highly-anticipated game to get back on track, the North Park Men's Basketball Team lost a close battle at No. 25-ranked University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 69-64, on Saturday evening.
The first half ended in a 26-26 draw after five lead changes and three tied scores. Oshkosh's assist numbers were double North Park's (6-3) but the Vikings held a huge scoring advantage in the paint, 18-6.
The difference maker rested on the shoulders of consistent shooting from the Titans, while the Vikings searched for their groove most of the game. Oshkosh shot 43% from the field (22-51), 48% from three (12-25), and 81% from the free throw line (13-16). The Vikings shot 44% from the field (27-61), struggled at 13.6% from three (3-22), and 50% from the free throw line.
Junior center Phil Holmes Jr. led the Vikings in scoring with 18 points, a career high, shooting 80% from the field (8-10), while adding a steal and a blocked shot. Junior and senior guards Kolden Vanlandingham and Shamar Pumphrey pitched in 16 and 11 points, respectively, and combined for 13 rebounds. Junior guard TJ Gardner added an efficient 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Pumphrey also set a new career high with six steals.
On the Titans' side, Will Mahoney, Quinn Steckbauer, and Carter Thomas all had double-digit scoring totals with 20, 18, and 10. Joseph Adamson swatted a pair of Vikings' shots and Mahoney neared a double-double with nine boards.
Top Performers
What's Next?
The Vikings (2-3) now look ahead to their four-straight conference games hosting Carroll University and Elmhurst University next week before traveling to Bloomington and Rock Island to take on Illinois Wesleyan University and Augustana College. North Park returns home next Wednesday, November, 29, for a matchup with the Pioneers. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM in Chicago.
The North Park Hoops Experience, by Gordon Edes
