CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park women's basketball is finding their footing as the Vikings head into the new year. With a suffocating defense and timely scoring bursts, the Vikings rolled past Beloit for their third straight victory, 63-41, in a game that showcased their growing confidence and identity.
From the opening tip, North Park seized control with a blistering 12-0 run in the first quarter, fueled by relentless pressure and opportunistic transition play. Junior forward Caroline Long set the tone early with a pair of inside buckets and a free throw, while junior guard Aliyah Hershberger reignited the fast break with a pull-up jumper after a steal. By the time Hershberger finished a coast-to-coast layup off another turnover, the Vikings had built a double-digit cushion they would never relinquish.
The defensive intensity was the story of the night. North Park forced 25 turnovers, converting them into 24 points, and repeatedly frustrated Beloit's ball handlers. Senior guard Kathryn Keehn was the catalyst, recording five steals, many of them leading directly to transition scores. Her most emphatic moment came midway through the second quarter when she picked off a pass near midcourt and finished with a layup to push the lead to 20.
Offensively, Hershberger was unstoppable. The junior guard poured in 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting, mixing mid-range jumpers with aggressive drives. She also knocked down two three-pointers during a second-quarter surge that stretched the margin to 21. Complementing her effort, Long added 10 points and four assists, while sophomore guard Aliesha Peterson chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds, including key second-chance baskets that kept momentum firmly in North Park's favor.
Beloit never found an answer. Hailey Johnson battled inside for 20 points and eight rebounds, but the Bucs shot just 31.7% from the field and managed only six points off turnovers. Kaitlin Davis contributed eight points and three steals, while Bailey Darneal added eight points, including two three-pointers, but the offensive rhythm never materialized against North Park's pressure.
By the fourth quarter, the Vikings' lead ballooned to 22 points, and the outcome was right on the horizon. North Park dominated the paint (36 points inside) and controlled the glass (39-33 rebounding edge), to cruise to their third-straight win.
Top Performers
North Park
Beloit
- Hailey Johnson: 20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks
- Kaitlin Davis: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals
What's Next?
North Park returns to CCIW action in Naperville this Saturday, January 3, to face the North Central Cardinals. Tipoff is set for 2:00 PM CT inside Gregory Arena.
