CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park Men's Basketball could not snap out of a recent funk in their 90-84 loss to Carroll University (7-15, 3-10 CCIW) on Wednesday night. The Vikings caused 18 Pio turnovers but could not overcome clutch shots in the loss.

A tightly-contested first half didn't feature a lead larger than two points for either team, until a turnaround jumper for senior guard Preston Bax III, three pointer by sophomore forward DJ Wallace, and layup for senior guard Lance Nelson put NPU ahead 29-22. Following a free throw by Wallace, Carroll responded with a three from Erik Victorson and layup by Eckahelo Simpson to make it a one score game. Aaron Wafford tied it up with a three at 5:57 before Nelson drove the lane again to put NPU ahead, 32-30.

The Pioneers would establish a late advantage by taking care of some NPU mishandles while making almost every shot in transition and along the perimeter. A three and short jumper for Wafford was the last bucket made in the first half, as the Pioneers held a 44-38 lead at the break.

Four Pioneers had eight points in the first half and North Park's Nelson led the way for the Vikings with eight of his own, alongside four rebounds.

The second half saw Carroll stay in front of the Vikings, keeping mostly a three-possession lead through the first ten minutes.

A three by Wallace, closed the gap to single digits, 67-58, but Kobe Simpson responded on Carroll's end to reestablish the 12-point lead, 70-58. Junior guard William Bates and senior guard TJ Gardner helped North Park keep things close with a short jumper and three. However, foul trouble for North Park kept the Pioneers on the free throw line, where they would find success.

Free throws for TJ Gardner, alongside a steal, led to an and-one layup for Bates, sparking a scoring drive that made things closer at 77-68, Carroll. Nelson did the dirty work in the paint to set up a pass from senior forward Taijon Barry, who found Nelson down low for an easy two. Back-to-back air balls for the Pioneers gave North Park another chance when senior guard Rico Powell drown the lane for a running two. These big minutes led to a two-possession deficit with North Park still trailing, 77-72.

Nelson continued to shine in big moments, driving the lane for a hard-earned layup before getting open on the wing for a three, powering a 14-2 run that put the Vikings within striking distance down only two points, 79-77, with 2:21 to go.

With the student section coming alive, Bates drew a shooting foul by Carroll's Simpson, allowing a perfect 2-for-2 trip at the line to tie the game, 79-79. Unfortunately, the tie score is as close as North Park would get. The Pioneers made all six of their free throws over the next 90 seconds and a three pointer by Erik Victorson sealed the deal as Carroll upended North Park, 90-84.

Quick Hits

• Nelson neared a career high with 20 points and set a career high with nine shots made
• Bates with a career high 15 while TJ Gardner also added 15 on 3-for-6 shooting from deep
• Five Pioneers in double figures, led by 18 points from Kobe Simpson
• Pioneers shoot 52.5% from the field and 13-30 from deep (43.3%)

What's Next?

North Park (14-9, 9-5 CCIW) hosts Elmhurst University (10-11, 6-6) on Saturday, Feb. 15, in its final home Saturday date of the season. Tipoff inside Carlson Gym is set for 4:15 PM CT. Seniors John Gaines, Preston Bax III, Rico Powell, Taijon Barry, TJ Gardner, Davante Robinson, Lance Nelson, Kyren Gardner, and Victor Ekman will be honored prior to the tipoff.