CHICAGO, Ill. – North Park women's basketball delivered one of its most composed starts of the season on Saturday afternoon inside Carlson Gymnasium, but the visiting Wheaton Thunder used a second-half burst to overtake the Vikings in a 52–39 final in Chicago.

North Park controlled much of the first half, setting the tone with an 11-point opening quarter while limiting scoring opportunities for the Thudner. The Vikings continued their momentum into the second quarter, as timely scoring from junior guard Aliyah Hershberger and sophomore guard Naomi Kaskavitch powered a 15-point frame that helped North Park take a 26-19 advantage late in the half. The Vikings shot 50 percent in the second quarter and held Wheaton to just three field goals before the break.

Wheaton, however, began to shift the game's rhythm in the third quarter. The Thunder outscored North Park 19-9 in the 10-minute chunk behind increased interior pressure and easier buckets down low. Despite a key three-pointer from Kaskavitch that briefly regained the lead, Wheaton closed the quarter on a 9-2 run to enter the fourth holding a 38-35 edge.

North Park continued to battle, but Wheaton's defense clamped down in the final 10 minutes. The Vikings were held to just four points in the fourth quarter as the Thunder sealed the comeback with a combination of fast-break scoring and converting late at the free-throw line.

Hershberger led North Park with 11 points, while Kaskavitch added 10. Seniors Kathryn Keehn and Shay Bowen each grabbed eight rebounds to pace the Vikings on the glass.

North Park (5-18, 1-13 CCIW) rounds out its season on the road, first with Millikin on Wednesday, February 18, following by Elmhurst on Saturday, February 21.