PLATTEVILLE, Wis. -- Senior guard Mike Vuckovic scored a team-high 22 points to lead the Vikings once again, but North Park fell to Carleton, 80-64, on Saturday afternoon at Williams Fieldhouse.
After Carleton scored first, junior guard Ty Wooten threw down a dunk before Vuckovic scored seven consecutive points to complete a 9-0 run. Viking senior forward Makieth Deng added a 3-pointer as North Park built a 12-7 lead. However, Carleton responded with nine straight points before senior forward Sergio McClain, Jr. completed a three-point play, recorded a steal and assisted senior forward Rasmus Westerlund for a layup that briefly put North Park back in front, 17-16. The Knights controlled the remainder of the half, closing with a second-chance basket at the buzzer to take a 40-28 lead.
The Vikings cut the deficit to nine early in the second half behind a Vuckovic free throw and sophomore guard Marquis Vance's putback. North Park later used its pressure to stay within reach, as senior guard Jerome Smith, Jr. scored following a steal, freshman guard Brad Stratton hit a 3-pointer and McClain's steal led to a Vuckovic layup that made it 53-42.
Vuckovic's two free throws pulled North Park within 58-48 with 8:11 remaining, but Carleton answered with a 3-pointer and maintained a double-digit lead. Smith scored five straight points late, including a transition 3-pointer following a Wooten steal, before the Knights closed out the win.
Vuckovic added four assists and four rebounds, while Smith finished with 13 points and three steals. Vance totaled seven points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Josh Engelberg led Carleton with 28 points, while Sam Koelling added 14 points and 13 rebounds.
North Park forced 19 turnovers and recorded 13 steals, but Carleton shot 51.8 percent and held a 41-32 rebounding advantage to keep its distance from the Vikings.
What's Next?
North Park (0-3) looks to get in the win column at Greenville University (1-3) on Wednesday, November 18. Tipoff inside H.J. Long Gym is set for 6:00 p.m. CT.
