Waukesha, WI., -- North Park Men's Basketball (4-1-, 0-0) made the trip up to Wisconsin to face Carroll University (3-3, 0-0) in their first CCIW match up of the season, looking to make it three straight wins to move to 5-1. 

No lead held by either team exceeded six points as the Vikings and the Pioneers remained neck-and-neck throughout the first half.  Guard Mike Vuckovic led the way for the Vikings with 12 points hitting 3 of his 5 threes, grabbing 2 boards and 2 assists along the way.  Marquis Vance and Julian Campbell were making a difference as well, scoring 9 and 8 points respectively.  The halftime score was 42-40 in favor of the Pioneers.

The second half remained a close until the end, both teams continuing to trade baskets and trade leads.  The Vikings continued to spread the wealth offensively, seeing 7 players score at least 6 points and 4 players in double figures.  Campbell and Vuckovic found themselves in a rhythm the whole game, Campbell ending with 15 points and 11 rebounds on 54% shooting and Vuckovic posting 16 points and 5 assists on 50% shooting.  Defensively, North Park was able to force just two guys on Carroll to do most of their damage, as CCIW leading scorer Michael McNabb scored a game high 30 points and Lamar Smith putting up 20 points. 

Down the stretch, the game was tied 78-78 with 1.9 seconds left as Carroll had the ball positioned to be inbounded in the backcourt; Lamar Smith found Peyton McKenna streaking to the right wing on the inbound pass, where McKenna knocked down the contested game-winning three-point shot to win the game 81-78. 

North Park will have to shrug this tough loss off as they turn around and play another tough conference opponent in Millikin on Saturday.