STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- After a seven-game win streak, the Vikings fell in a competitive matchup against No. 11-ranked University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (9-1) on Monday night. The 90-73 result was made up of five Pointers with double-digit scoring totals.
Out of the gate, Stevens Point was in control jumping out to an early 20-2 lead in the first eight minutes of play. The Vikings would not shy away from the challenge, responding with an 18-9 run of their own during the middle part of the first half. Success with points off turnovers and quick chances allowed the Vikings to give one of DIII's top-ranked team a tough challenge. However, the closest North Park would get was within 7 points and couldn't close the gap any further, going into halftime down 45-35.
Every player who touched the court in Monday's matchup was able to score for North Park, going deep into their bench as coach Ed McGhee likes to do. Whereas Stevens Point kept a tight rotation and had five players with 12 points or more, as senior Darrius Bolden posting a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists. Eight of the Vikings players had 5 or more points, but it was seniors Davante Robinson and Kyren Gardner who led the way with 12 and 16 respectively. Gardner's 16 sets a career high, with an exclamation point dunk late in the second half.
Gardner shot 70% from the field and had tied a game high 3 steals with teammate Taijon Berry.
Hanging around most of the second half, teetering around the fringes of a double-digit deficit and an 8- or 9-point game, the Vikings couldn't get the game any closer than that as the Pointers went on to win 90-73.
The Pointers were 32-60 from the field (53.3%) with nine threes while North Park was 29-63 (46.0%) with as many threes. However, the Vikings converted on only 6 of 16 free-throw chances while Stevens Point generated 42 points in the paint.
Top Performers:
What's Next?
With 2024 coming to a close, and the Vikings still in a great position in the CCIW at 3-0 in conference play, North Park (8-4, 3-0) will open the new year with a home game against the Firebirds of Carthage College (8-3, 2-0) on Saturday, January 4th at 4:15pm.
