Chicago, IL., -- A disappointing 81-78 loss Wednesday to Carroll gave North Park Men's Basketball (4-2, 0-1) their first conference loss of the season, and hosting Millikin this weekend will be no easy task.  The Big Blue are 7-1 on the season, winning their first conference game this week against North Central 55-50.

Millikin has one of the best defenses in the CCIW holding teams to just 62 points per game which is good for 2nd in the conference, while the Vikings sit at the bottom of the scoring defense category allowing 85 points per game.  However, North Park's offense provides a challenge for Millikin's stout defense since the Viking offense averages 85 points per game, and a more balanced attack with seven players averaging at least 7 points a game.  Julian Campbell and Mike Vuckovic sit within the top-10 in the CCIW in field goal percentage, both shooting over 50%, and Vanlandingham still sits atop the conference in assists with 6.5.  North Park's offense has the firepower to match the Millikin defense, but the Vikings' defense will have their hands full as well with the Big Blue, despite Millikin averaging only 71 points per game.  The Big Blue have three players averaging double-digits in Ian Winkler, Nate Straughter, and Lane Thomann; Thomann is shooting an impressive 52% from three (2nd in the CCIW) and leads the Big Blue with a 19.4 scoring average, with Straughter and Winkler not far behind at 15.1 and 12.5 points per game, respectively.  

Millikin and North Park will tip off in the Carlson Gymnasium on Saturday, December 6th at 4:15pm.