CHICAGO, Ill. -- North Park Men's Basketball played the No. 11-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University Titans tough in spurts but came up short in an 87-81 loss on Wednesday night The Vikings (14-11, 9-7 CCIW) clinched a spot in the CCIW Tournament and await their opponent for a Tuesday night (Feb. 25) home Quarterfinals game.
Both the Titan and Viking offense found plenty of first half success. The Titans shot 58.82% (20-34) from the field, aided by 8-13 shooting from deep (61.54%) while North Park was 17-29 (58.62%) from the field with a 6-13 (46.15%) three-point mark.
The Titan's Trey Bazzell was the spark plug for Illinois Wesleyan in that first half of action while the Vikings had success beyond the arc from senior guard Lance Nelson, senior forward Taijon Barry, and junior forward Dylan Fuzak.
Illinois Wesleyan built a seven-point lead three times late in the first half that was quelled by a three from senior guard Tristan Arneaud, free throws by senior guard Davante Robinson, and a jumper by senior guard TJ Gardner. A jumper by IWU's Mark Anderson put IWU up, 50-44, with a minute left in the half before junior guard William Bates hit a jumper to make it a two-score game at the half, 50-46.
The second half saw the Titans ahead by double digits through most of the action.
An 85-74 lead for the Titans was vaporized when the Vikings scored 11 unanswered points. That run started at 2:20 on a three by senior guard Rico Powell, an assist from Barry to Powell on a layup, and a pass from Nelson to Barry to make it a two-possession game: Titans 85, North Park 81 with 29 seconds left.
However, this would be as close as North Park got as IWU's Mason Funk blocked a corner three to seal the deal.
Quick Hits:
- Powell leads all scorers with 23 points on 10-13 shooting
- TJ Gardner with six rebounds
- Barry and Robinson score a dozen
- Five Titans in double figures, led by Harrison Wilmsen's 17
What's Next?
North Park (14-11, 9-7) has a bye this Saturday, Feb. 22, and looks to the CCIW Quarterfinals next Tuesday, Feb. 25. Pending Saturday's results, North Park - the three seed - will face a six seed in North Central or Elmhurst.
