KENOSHA, Wis. -- After back-to-back losses, and CCIW Tournament hopes still within grasp, North Park's men's basketball team looked to get back on track for the last three games of the season. The Vikings traveled north to Kenosha, Wisconsin to take on the Firebirds from Carthage College (14-7, 8-4). North Park dropped the first meeting against Carthage 84-82 in an overtime thriller on January 3 and, unfortunately, the Vikings dropped Wednesday's game as well, 76-62.
Junior guard Kolden Vanlandingham started the game hot, tallying 14 first half points on 6-of-11 shooting, including the game-tying three pointer to go into halftime. Senior guard Shamar Pumphrey and freshman forward DJ Wallace combined for 14 points and Wallace led all players in efficiency at +13. Despite 11 players checking into the game for the Vikings, only four players were able to score in the first half. North Park shot 17 threes, making five versus Carthage's two made threes. However, the Firebirds were able to knock down seven free throws to the Vikings' one. With Vanlandingham's three at the end of the half, the score was tied 33-33.
The second half was all Firebirds from the jump. Carthage dominated the paint all game, scoring 44 of their total 76 points in the lane while increasing their field goal percentage by 21%. North Park struggled to find a rhythm as they only scored 29 points in the second half, less than their first half total. The Vikings were out-hustled on the boards and getting 50-50 balls, and struggled again from the free-throw line, shooting 53% from the stripe.
The final score would favor Carthage 76-62, dropping the Vikings to seventh in the league race.
Despite the loss, the Vikings had solid contributions from Vanlandingham, sophomore guard Lance Nelson, and Wallace. Vanlandingham was the second highest scorer of the game with 23 points while Nelson scored 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for the Vikings. Wallace pitched in 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Wallace and Nelson were the most efficient Vikings of the night at +16 and +14, respectively.
Top Performers
Kolden Vanlandingham – 23 PTS, 5 REB
Fillip Bulatovic – 26 PTS, 10 REB
Lance Nelson – 10 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL
Julian Campbell and Antuan Nesbitt – 13 PTS
DJ Wallace – 9 PTS, 5 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK,
What's Next?
Playoff hopes remain for the six teams year to clinch a spot in the 2024 CCIW Tournament. Illinois Wesleyan. Carthage, and Elmhurst have all earned a spot while the rest of the field will likely flip flop all the way through the last game of the season.
After a bye this Saturday, the Vikings have one more regular season home game against the Titans from Illinois Wesleyan on Wednesday, Feb.14, and their last game on the road against Wheaton College on Feb. 17. North Park looks to end the regular season on a high note and find a rhythm heading into the playoffs, should they earn a spot.
