CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park's Women's Basketball team lost their third-straight game to the Carroll University Pioneer, 77-51, on Wednesday night.  Carroll utilized a 33-point third quarter to put the game out of reach, after an inconsistent first half.

Despite only shooting 34% from the field in the first half, North Park was able to get to the free throw line 11 times, knocking down 10.  The defense was stout throughout the first half, forcing Carroll into tough shots, as the Pios shot just 24.24% (8-33) from the field.  Some turnovers by North Park mixed with Carroll converting 11-of-12 free throws allowed the Pioneers to hold on to a slim lead, 29-27, going into halftime.  

As the second half began, the Vikings seemed to be caught on their heels as the Pioneers came out hot, taking the lead and extending it to 15 points by the end of the third quarter.  The Vikings were outscored 33 to 10 in the third, as the Pioneers shot an unbelievable 68.42% (13-19) from the field.

The Pioneers tallied four players in double figures (Wizner, Gricius, Soyke, and Rangel) and led the assist margins by 5 compared to the Vikings.  The Vikings' 19 turnovers led to 17 points as Carroll's press defense swarmed North Park ball handlers in the back court.  Carroll's 22 second-chance points and 40 points in the paint were also big factors to extending their lead as the Vikings struggled to combat the size differential given up to the taller Pioneers. 

Freshman guard Aliyah Hershberger led all Vikings in scoring with an efficient 17 points on 7-9 shooting, knocking both her free throws down and going 1-2 from three-point land. The 17 points represents a new career high in the freshman's early collegiate journey. 

Senior guard Victoria Perry had a quiet night offensively, as the 17 points per game scorer only notched 8 points in tonight's game yet was active defensively, grabbing 5 rebounds and 3 steals. 

What's Next? 

The Vikings travel to Rock Island on Saturday, December 9 to take on fellow Vikings foe Augustana College (5-4, 1-1 CCIW).  This is the last game before they travel to Nashville, Tennessee for their holiday tournament where they will face Gallaudet University and Roanoke College.  The Vikings hope to go into that tournament on a high note with a conference win this upcoming weekend. 

NPU Top Performers: 

Aliyah Hershberger – 17 PTS -- career high, 7-9 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1 STL 

Victoria Perry – 8 PTS, 5 REB, 3 STL