Covenant News

Vikings Topple Augustana in CCIW Play

CHICAGO, IL (February 18, 2001) - The six seniors on the North Park University (NPU) men's basketball team were honored before their game against Augustana College Saturday night, but a junior did the most to make the event a success.

Jason Collins scored 25 points, six in the final 1:33,as the Vikings held off Augustana 70-61 in a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin game. NPU raised its record to 12-11, 3-9 in the CCIW. Augustana, ranked 17th in the latest D3hoops.com poll, fell to 18-8, 9-5.

NPU led 54-40 with 15:18 remaining on a 3-point shot by Rob Berki before Augustana went on an 18-2 run and eventually went ahead 60-58. Two foul shots by Berki tied the game 60-all with 4:02 left and Keith Peterson put the Vikings ahead to stay, scoring on a rebound basket to give NPU a 62-60 edge with 3:26 in the contest.

A Mike Nee free throw cut NPU's lead to 62-61 with 3:12 left, but Collins hit a jumper, a lay-up and two foul shots to ice the contest. Collins was 8-for-12 from the field while Berki added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the home team. Collins had 16 points in the first half as NPU took a 36-30 lead at intermission.

NPU travels to Wheaton February 24 for a 7:30 p.m. CCIW game.

In women's play, NPU lost 65-50 to Wheaton Saturday afternoon despite 20 points from Carrie Swenson. The Vikings (11-11, 5-6 in the CCIW), play a 7:30 p.m. game at Elmhurst and host Illinois Wesleyan at 2 p.m. February 24.

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