WAUKESHA, Wis. -- North Park Women's Basketball played a Carroll University team that was ranked in the D3hoops.com National Poll earlier in the season tough on Wednesday night but came up short, 89-63.

North Park chopped down Carroll's six-point lead twice in the first quarter thanks to a jumper by sophomore forward Caroline Long and three by junior guard Kathryn Keehn followed by two pointers from Long and a layup by sophomore guard Aliyah Hershberger. The three-basket bursts of offense led to a 14-14 tied score after the first 10 minutes of play, but Carroll sent in 20 points to North Park's nine in the second quarter. 

The Vikings turned in 20-point totals in both the third and fourth quarter but the Pioneers had a significant advantage in the paint, utilizing 52 points in the paint and 30 off of turnovers. Both teams struggled from deep: North Park 3-15 and Carroll 4-13 but both teams made just about two of every three free throws in a game that featured56 free shots.

Carroll's Olivia Rangel and Natalie Gricius led all scorers with 24 and 20 points, respectively while three Vikings scored in double figures: Long (17), fifth-year guard Evelyn Abundes (14), and Hershberger (10). Abundes had a double-double, adding 11 rebounds.

What's Next?

North Park (3-11, 0-5 CCIW) hosts Augustana College (5-8, 1-3 CCIW) this coming Saturday, Jan. 11, as part of a CCIW doubleheader. Tipoff in a game of Vikings is set for 2:00 PM CT.