KENOSHA, Wis. -- Kicking off the new year, the North Park Women's Basketball team (3-9, 0-3) took on the Firebirds of Carthage College (9-2, 1-1) looking to get into the win column after an 0-2 showing in Florida over winter break.  Carthage, being one of the top teams in the CCIW, would be no easy task coming off the holiday break, and they proved that on Saturday.

The Vikings came out and kept it close for the entirety of the first quarter, sharing the ball and causing turnovers. In fact, North Park led or kept the score tied until a last-second shooting foul allowed the Firebirds to go up 14-12 in the first quarter when Carthage's Grace Cord converted on both. From the start however, it was evident that the Firebirds were going to be dominant on the boards.

In the second quarter, everything clicked for Carthage as they would go on a 33-6 run, wreaking havoc with their full court press and three-point shooting.  The first half consisted of the Firebirds creating 14 turnovers and capitalizing with 23 points off turnovers and 12 fast break points, most of which came in the second.  For the Vikings, nothing seemed to be working, as they mustered only six points.

The Firebirds only extended their 47-18 lead in the second half, scoring 23 points off turnovers and 42 points in the paint.

North Park was led in scoring by sophomore guard Aliyah Hershberger with 10 while sophomore forward Caroline Long had nine rebounds. Carthage had four players in double-digits, led by a 21-point, off-the-bench performance by Grace Cord.

What's Next?

North Park (3-10, 0-4) plays at Carroll next Wednesday, Jan. 8, with a 7:00 PM tipoff at Van Male Fieldhouse.