CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park (3-20, 0-14) celebrated their two seniors Evelyn Abundes and Olivia Reed, the Vikings hosted the Elmhurst University Bluejays (13-8, 5-8) for their second-to-last home game of the season, still looking to end a losing streak.
Sophomore Aliyah Hershberger came out of the gates hot scoring 10 of the Vikings' 17 first quarter points. North Park had control of the first half for the most part, notching as much as an 11-point lead. Midway through the second quarter the Bluejays closed the gap to as little as three points behind solid guard play from Kristin Bukata who had 12 points heading into half.
Abundes brought some energy getting on the floor for loose balls and adding 9 points to her first half total with 6 rebounds and a block. The Vikings did a great job of getting everyone involved offensively, totaling 9 assists while seven of eight players to touch the floor scored at least once. North Park went into half leading Elmhurst 32-39.
Through the third quarter, the Vikings weathered the storm maintaining the lead despite the Bluejays tying the game along the way. After a 4-point first half, sophomore Caroline Long found her rhythm getting to 11 points and 10 rebounds by the end of the third.
Going into the fourth up 47-42, junior Kathryn Keehn opened the quarter with a big three to extend the Viking lead to eight. However, the Bluejays would not go away, getting within one point before the halfway mark after an and-1 three-point make by Natalie Harty. From there it was a back-and-forth for the remainder of the game.
Down the stretch, North Park was able to get some stops and convert offensively, namely a beautiful up-and-under from Long and a clutch driving layup from Keehn to take a 64-62 lead. Immediately following, Bukata of the Bluejays found the open Lindsay Novak for three due to a Viking defensive mishap.
Trailing 65-64 with just over thirty seconds left, Hershberger drove to the basket where she was fouled before the shot. The Vikings were now in the bonus and Hershberger went to the line where she knocked both down to take the 66-65 lead. Elmhurst responded with a layup of their own to regain the one-point advantage.
Unfortunately, a travel in North Park's final possession led to a win for the Bluejays in heartbreaking fashion, 67-66.
Top Performers
- Aliyah Hershberger – 23 PTS, 3-6 3PT, 8-8 FT
- Caroline Long – 15 PTS, 10 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL
- Kristin Bukara – 20 PTS, 5 AST
- Cierra Steemer – 10 PTS, 8 REB
- Evelyn Abundes – 10 PTS, 8 REB. 1 BLK, 1 STL
- Kathryn Keehn – 9 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL
- Naomi Kaskavitch – 6 PTS, 2 AST, 4 STL
What's Next?
The Vikings (3-21, 0-15) will close out their season on Wednesday, February 19th at home against Carroll University at 7:00 PM CT.
