DECATUR, IL (January 12, 2006) – The North Park University Viking men’s basketball team won its first conference game in two years Tuesday night, defeating Millikin 61-59 on their home court.<\/p>\n
The Vikings, now 3-10 overall, are 1-1 in conference. The last time North Park defeated a CCIW opponent was February 25, 2004, in a 75-63 home victory over Millikin.<\/p>\n
North Park led all but the first three minutes of Tuesday night’s contest, which remained tight throughout. They say statistics can be used to prove just about any point, but Tuesday night’s numbers show just how close the game was. Both teams shot 42 percent from the field, with North Park hitting on 23 of 54 shots and Millikin knocking in 22 of 52. Both teams shot 33 percent from the three-point line.<\/p>\n
The Vikings dropped five of 15 and Millikin netted four of 12. The only percentage difference came at the free throw line, with the Vikings nailing 77 percent compared to Millikin’s 58 percent. Still Millikin outscored the Vikings in the category, hitting 11 of 19 to North Park’s 10 of 13.<\/p>\n
The Vikings were led by Senior forward Brett Mathisen, who scored 23 points and added six rebounds. He was 10-14 from the field and dropped in all four free throws. In addition to Mathisen, scoring in double digits for the Vikings were Jason Gordon and Ed Whitaker, who knocked down 17 and 14 points.<\/p>\n
The men stay home to take on North Central at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Thursday).<\/p>\n