CHICAGO, Ill. – North Park women's basketball returns to action this weekend with a tough test as the Vikings travel to the Shirk Center to face nationally-ranked Illinois Wesleyan, currently No. 17 in the D3Hoops.com Top 25 Poll. North Park (4-9, 0-4 CCIW) looks to snap a two-game skid.

Illinois Wesleyan (9-4, 4-0 CCIW) enters the matchup riding a two-game winning streak and boasting one of the conference's most intimidating groups. The Titans average 70.5 points per game and feature standout guard Ava Bardic (18.8 ppg) and playmaker Sawyer White (15.6 ppg, team-high 61 assists). IWU's defensive pressure has been a difference-maker, forcing over 21 turnovers per game and ranking among the nation's leaders in steals.

North Park counters with its own offensive leaders, including junior guard Aliyah Hershberger (14.8 ppg) and junior forward Caroline Long (13.0 ppg, 7.5 rpg), who are consistently in each game's top scorers. The Vikings will look to capitalize on their +2.1 turnover margin and get back in the win column in a big way.