CHICAGO, Ill. -- The last time the Vikings played host to the Carthage Firebirds, 199 total points were scored in a game that saw Carthage walk away with a 104-95 victory, on January 11, 2023. North Park attempted to return the favor Wednesday evening, but lost an overtime thriller in another high scoring battle, 84-82.
Despite the high game total, the first half of play was sloppy by both parties. North Park connected on only 13 of their 41 shot attempts, a mere 31.7% from the field. Carthage wasn't much better, making only 9 of their 24 first-half attempts (37.5%).
Poor field goal shooting made winning the rebounding battle that much more important. The Vikings did that, out-rebounding Carthage 29-18 through 20 minutes of play. North Park held onto a 34-32 lead at the break.
The Vikings added to their slight halftime lead in a hurry, as center Phil Holmes Jr. dropped in a hook shot that would give North Park a 44-34 lead.
However, the double-digit Viking lead didn't last long, as a 3-pointer by Colton Sigl and a made layup and free throw from Antuan Nesbitt cut the lead 6.
Both teams would exchange runs until junior guard Kolden Vanlandingham scored on three straight North Park possessions late in the second half, extending the Vikings lead to 12.
Carthage senior Fillip Bulatovic answered Vanlandingham's run with an 11-0 run of his own, making the score 63-62 with 1:12 remaining in regulation. Nesbitt then connected on a 3-pointer and a jumpshot on consecutive possessions to give Carthage a 67-64 lead with 11 seconds remaining.
When all hope seemed lost, senior guard Shamar Pumphrey connected on a deep 3-pointer, tying the game, and ultimately sending the contest into overtime.
Unfortunately, four three-point shots from Carthage in extended minutes would be too much for the Vikings to overcome, as they were outscored 17-15 in overtime.
Top Performers:
Kolden Vanlandingham – 38 PTS, 7 REB, 4 STL
Fillip Bulatovic – 21 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST
Antuan Nesbitt – 19 PTS, 4 REB
Shamar Pumphrey – 14 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST
What's Next?
The Vikings (6-8, 1-4 CCIW) will host CCIW foe Wheaton College as the Thunder make the trip to Chicago on Saturday, January 6. Tipoff is set for 4:15 PM at the North Park Gymnasium.
