WAUKESHA, Wis. -- After two big wins over No. 25 Anderson University and Alma College, the Vikings kept things rolling as they defeated Carroll University (2-5), 70-64, in their first conference game of the season. Now 4-3 on the year, the Vikings seem to have found their identity after a 1-3 start.
Although the assist numbers were down for the Vikings compared to their last three games, they were able to notch an impressive 50% shooting from 3-point land as a team, going 11-22 and holding the Pioneers to just 2-19 from behind the arc. North Park's shooting from distance was highlighted in the first half, burying eight 3's in the 20 minutes of action. On the other side of the ball, North Park's gameplan was to make opposing offenses play at their defense's pace. The Vikings were able to get 11 steals and 3 blocks collectively while also out-rebounding Carroll by a couple boards.
The closest the Pioneers were to the Vikings was within 6 points at the beginning of the game and the final score, 70-64, otherwise the Vikings maintained control for the most part of the game. The Pioneer surge came in the second half when Carroll went on a 10-0 run to cut the Viking lead down to 50-43. The scrappiness of this Vikings team was on full display however, holding the advantage in second chance points, bench points, and fast break points over the Pioneers which proved vital in securing the win.
Seniors Rico Powell, Preston Bax, and Taijon Berry carried the load for the Vikings offensively; Powell had 15 points while Bax and Berry both had 13, as the three of them combined for 8-10 shooting from three. Powell was in the groove, shooting 5-6 from the field and 3-3 from 3-point territory, also having a game-high 3 steals and a block, getting it done on both ends of the floor. Fellow seniors TJ Gardner and Davante Robinson pitched in 8 points each, while junior Lance Nelson led all Vikings in rebounds and assists with 6 and 4, respectively.
Quick Hits:
- Rico Powell – 15 PTS, 4 REB, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 3-3 3PT
- Preston Bax III – 13 PTS, 2 AST, 1 STL, 3-4 3PT
- Taijon Berry – 13 PTS, 4 REB, 2 STL, 2-3 3 PT
- TJ Gardner – 8 PTS, 4 REB, 1 STL
- Davante Robinson – 8 PTS, 2 REB, 1 BLK, 2-4 3PT
- Lance Nelson – 5 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL
What's Next?
The Vikings (4-3, 1-0 CCIW) have two more conference games against Millikin University (4-3, 1-0 CCIW) and Wheaton College (3-6, 0-0 CCIW) before another three game non-conference stretch. They host Millikin at home on Saturday, Dec. 7th at 4:15 PM CT followed by a road contest at Wheaton a week later on the 14th at 7:00 PM CT.
