CHICAGO, Ill. – Despite a late burst thanks to clutch shots from junior guard Kolden Vanlandingham, the Elmhurst Bluejays largely controlled Saturday's game en route to a 74-69 win over North Park men's basketball.

Elmhurst established an early lead thanks to scores in three-straight possessions beginning with a three by Jonathan Zapinski, followed by jumpers in the paint from Quinn Pemberton and John Ittounas. North Park closed the gap on a three from Vanlandingham and layup by senior guard Shamar Pumphrey, but Elmhurst kept it a two-possession game for much of the first ten minutes. 

Now with a 16-11 score at 9:47, in favor of the Bluejays, an and-one layup by TJ Gardner and pair of successful free throws by junior guard Davante Robinson tied things up at 16 all. Next Pumphrey picked the Bluejays' pockets before finishing the possession with a fastbreak layup on the other end, giving the Vikings their first lead of the game, 18-16 with 8:43 on the clock.

However, the Bluejays took the lead and never gave it back, utilizing 40 points in the paint and a 36-28 rebounding advantage.

North Park made things interesting in the final minute and thirteen seconds of the game, though. With a 12-point deficit, three pointers by junior guard Julian Gatewood, Vanlandingham began cutting at the lead before a pair of successful free throws by Pumphrey cut the lead to five points, 74-69, with 27 seconds left in the game. Meanwhile, Elmhurst missed five of its six free throws to keep NPU's hopes alive.  Unfortunately, an untimely turnover sealed the Vikings' fate, losing their second CCIW game of the season.

Quick Hits:

• Three Bluejays reach double figures: Ittounas (21), Taghen Pearson (12), and Zapinski (12)
• Three Vikings also in double figures: Vanlandingham (20), junior center Phil Holmes, Jr. (15), and Pumphrey (12)
• Four steals for Pumphrey, seven rebounds for Holmes
• Elmhurst's Ocean Johnson pulls down nine rebounds, Ittounas with eight

What's Next?

Things don't get easier, as North Park (2-5, 0-2) travels to the Shirk Center this next Wednesday, Dec. 6, for a league contest with No. 20 Illinois Wesleyan (5-3, 1-1 CCIW). Tipoff in Bloomington is set for 7:00 PM.