CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park Women's Basketball nearly turned in a top 10 all-time points total in a Wednesday afternoon win, beating the University of Olivet Comets at home 92-53, marking their third-straight win. North Park had its fewest turnovers of the season (9) while shooting a season high 52.9% from the field.
The Vikings again found success working the ball into the post while also opening chances in the corner beyond the arc. Though some of those deeper shots weren't falling, the threat allowed North Park to set up scoring chances in the paint, outscoring Olivet 20-8 down low. Sophomore guard Aliyah Hershberger and sophomore forward Caroline Long reached double figure scoring totals with 14 and 10, respectively, in the first half. Four Vikings also had 4+ rebounds, led by six from fifth-year forward Evelyn Abundes.
North Park held Olivet to just 10 points in the second quarter, taking a 32-24 lead into the locker room.
The Vikings put on a clinic in the second half, posting 32 points in the third quarter and 28 points in the fourth as all 13 Vikings that suited up for the game found the bottom of the net.
North Park shot 23-34 (67.6%) in the second half, made all 10 free throws, and went 4-8 from distance. Sophomore forward Brooke Panush led all second half scorers with a dozen points, shooting 4-4 both from the field and at the free-throw line. Long added 10 second-half points while freshman guard Naomi Kaskavitch and junior guard Kathryn Keehn both had four assists.
Long finished the game by leading all scorers with 20 points while adding seven rebounds.
Hershberger and Panush were also in double figures with 14 and 16, respectively. Sophomore guard Teresa Morrissey led North Park with three steals while Abundes crashed the boards with eight rebounds.
The Comets' top scorer was Anna Honnen (15) while Madalynn Terry joined her in double figures with12. Lily Connelly had a game-leading nine rebounds.
Postgame Interviews
What's Next?
North Park (3-4) has a week off before hosting No. 8 ranked Illinois Wesleyan University (4-0) next Wednesday, Nov. 4. Tipoff in Carlson is set for 7:00 PM CT.
