CHICAGO, Ill. -- Looking to win back-to-back home conference games, the North Park men's basketball team hosted the Cardinals from North Central College in Chicago on Saturday night. The Vikings did just that, powered by an electric second half, to win 94-78.
The first half was close throughout, showing four lead changes and six different times where the score was tied. North Park had a four-point advantage in points in the paint, 26-22, and took advantage of their fastbreaks, scoring eight points in transition to the Cardinals' zero. The Vikings shot 56.3% from the field in the first half led by seniors Shamar Pumphrey and Kenton Lei. Pumphrey had 11 points and got his teammates involved with 5 assists, including an early alley-oop to Kyren Gardner that put the momentum with the Vikings.
Both teams shot 40% or less from the free throw line and North Central had the three-point advantage, making six of their nine from deep. Despite early leads, including a nine-point lead for the Vikings halfway through the first, North Central went into halftime up 43-42.
The second half was all North Park. The Vikings maintained their four-point advantage in points in the paint, 46-42, totaled 23 fastbreak points on the night, and dominated the rebounding game 39-29. Of those rebounds, 13 were offensive rebounds that turned into 13 second-chance points. North Park continued to pull away throughout the second half and their defense was a significant reason why, forcing 12 turnovers and causing back-to-back turnovers as the Cardinals were inbounding that led to a seven-point swing. The Vikings' lead grew to as much as 23 points with four minutes left in the half. North Park scored an impressive 52 points in the second half and beat North Central handily, 94-78.
Senior forward Kenton Lei set a new career high in points, ending with 20 alongside 5 rebounds, and 2 steals. Lei was one of three 20-point scorers in Saturday's game, as junior guard Kolden Vanlandingham and senior guard Shamar Pumphrey had 20 and 23, respectively.
It appears the Vikings are finding a rhythm at the right time heading into the final part of the regular season. They shot 56.3% from the field, 38% from three-point territory, and a respectable 64% from the free throw line.
Top Performers:
Kenton Lei – 20 PTS (career high), 5 REB, 2 STL
Shamar Pumphrey -- 20 PTS, 8 AST, 3 REB
Kolden Vanlandingham – 23 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL
Ken Thomas - 18 PTS, 11 REB
Tyler Swierczek - 16 PTS, 4 threes
What's Next?
The Vikings' next three games are on the road, as they take on Elmhurst University, Carroll University, and Carthage College. This is a big stretch for the Vikings as they try to extend their win streak and make the conference tournament, currently sitting fourth in the league standings.
