CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Vikings looked to get back in the win column against the No. 25 ranked Anderson University Ravens (4-1), a team that has totaled an impressive 60 steals as a team in their first four games. Their lone loss was on the road against Division III's top-ranked Trine University. Defending home court, North Park secured a 72-64 win, holding the Ravens to their lowest point total of the season.
The Ravens got out to a quick 10-4 lead, but it was the Vikings' full-court pressure and intensity that led them to causing 13 turnovers against a team that is familiar with creating turnovers themselves. The first half was filled with hustle from both teams. However, the Vikings doubled the number of offensive rebounds (6-3) over the Ravens and got to the free throw line eight times to Anderson's two.
Anderson shot slightly better from the field (45.2% to 41.0%), but North Park had the three-point shooting advantage and got out to a 13-point lead in the latter parts of the first half. Seniors Rico Powell and Davante Robinson both had 11 points for the Vikings in the first 20 as Robinson made his presence early, knocking down three 3-point shots and notching 3 steals. Powell was aggressive driving to the lane, getting to the line five times going 3-for-5 from the stripe.
Halftime: North Park 43, Anderson 32
North Park knew this game was far from over, not comfortable with an 11-point lead to start the second half of play. The Ravens stayed around the whole game, getting that deficit down to as little as three points having five of their players in double figure scoring.
It's always a positive when a team has a positive assist-to-turnover ratio and that is exactly what the Vikings did, posting a 16:14 ratio that bested Anderson's 12:18. 15 of those turnovers came as North Park steals with three players having 3+ steals. Senior TJ Gardner led the team with four steals and provided controlled aggression, turning the corner offensively against an unorthodox Ravens zone. The other guard who had figured their zone out was junior Tristan Arneaud, tallying a game high four assists and knocking down two 3-pointers.
From the field, Robinson's first half cooled off in the second, but he finished with 18 points, knocking down four clutch free throws down the stretch.
Defensively, in the limited nine minutes he played, senior John Gaines provided some energy and wreaked havoc defensively by getting three steals. However, it was sophomore DJ Wallace who anchored the Viking backline with a career high three blocks, a steal, and seven rebounds.
Free throw and 3-point percentage, assists, defense and turnovers were the recipe for success tonight for the Vikings tonight, not to mention seven players scoring at least 6 points, showcasing the Vikings' unselfish play. Senior guard Lance Nelson and Powell teamed up for eight rebounds each, a season high for Nelson.
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What's Next?
The Vikings (2-3) end their four-game homestand against Alma College (0-6) on Saturday, Nov. 30 before starting conference matchups against Carroll University (2-3) on Wednesday, Dec. 4 in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
