CHICAGO, Ill. -- The North Park Men's Basketball Team traveled to neighboring Elmhurst University to take on the Bluejays for the second time this season.  The Vikings were bested 74-69 in their last matchup on December 2, 2023, and were looking to even the score in tonight's game.  Unfortunately Elmhurst defended home court with a 96-66 win.

Elmhurst got out to a big lead early over North Park and had three players score in double figures in the first half.  The Bluejays out-assisted the Vikings, 11-3, and shot 14 free throws to North Park's five.  Senior guard Shamar Pumphrey led the way for the Vikings with 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting.  The Vikings went into halftime down 60-32. 

The second half was more of the same, however, North Park was only outscored 36-34 in the second half, turning up the defensive intensity. This deficit was too tall a task to overcome, though. The Bluejays ended with five players scoring in double figures, three players scoring 7+ points, and more than doubled North Park's assist numbers, 19-8.  North Park was defeated 96-66. 

What's Next?

The Vikings have a tough four-game stretch left this season. They travel to Carroll University, who just beat Illinois Wesleyan, on Saturday, Feb. 3. To keep their conference tournament hopes alive, the Vikings need to pick up wins against nationally-voted teams in Carthage (Feb. 7) and Illinois Wesleyan (Feb. 14) before one more regular season game at Wheaton (Feb. 17).

Top Performers:

• Elmhurst's Pemberton, Johnson, Ittounas, Trelenberg, and Woloch all in double figures with 17, 17, 14, 11, and 11
• Seven assists for Ittounas and nine boards for Zapinski
• TJ Gardner and Preston Bax III led the Vikings with five rebounds each
• Shamar Pumphrey led the Vikings' scoring with 15 points on 7-of-16 shooting