ELMHURST, Ill. – The North Park women's basketball team stayed alive in the CCIW tournament race with a 76-67 road win over Elmhurst on Saturday afternoon.
The Vikings came out with one of their best scoring efforts of the season, shooting 4-of-8 from deep in the first quarter alongside five 3-pointers in the second. Elmhurst kept in stride with North Park with consistent shooting from the field – 6-of-11 (54.55%) in the first quarter and 9-of-18 in the second to hold a slim advantage, 46-44, at the half.
Both teams cooled off in the second half, specifically from three. Elmhurst opened the second-half scoring with a layup and jumper, but three consecutive North Park jumpers by Victoria Perry, Esther Miller, and Elisha Dunlap would knot things up at 50. The tie or one-possession leads were traded all the way through the last minute, as Lauren McKnight gave NPU a slight advantage on a jumper – 58-56 North Park at the end of the third.
The Bluejays had some early momentum via Taylor Harazin free throws, closing the gap to 60-59, NPU, with eight minutes to go. However, the Vikings would outscore the Bluejays 18-11 in the quarter to take the must-win game 76-67.
Quick Hits:
- Victoria Perry posted a career high 29 points (four 3-pointers), shooting 12-of-20, never coming off the court in North Park's win
- Chantel Hairston secured a double-double with 19 points (four 3-pointers) and 11 rebounds
- Three steals for Hairston, two each for Esther Miller and Perry
- Elmhurst's Harazin led Elmhurst with 27 points, adding a double-double with 10 boards
- Nine 3's for the Vikings is a new season high
What's Next?
North Park (8-15, 4-10 CCIW) heads to Kenosha, Wis. next Wednesday, Feb. 15, for an important game against Carthage College (8-15, 5-9 CCIW). Tipoff at Tarble is set for 7:00 PM CST.
