Covenant News

Vikings Drop Pair to North Central, Illinois Wesleyan

CHICAGO, IL (February 14, 2005) - Despite a collegiate-best 15 points by Matt Lindahl, the North Park University (NPU) men's basketball team dropped a 76-64 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) home decision to North Central College last Saturday night.

Lindahl, a senior guard from Grace Covenant Church in Iron River, Michigan, also added a team-high five assists and three steals for the Vikings, now 4-17, 0-10 in conference. Brett Mathisen also scored in double figures for coach Paul Brenegan's team, tallying 10 points, while Jay Alexander led NPU with 12 rebounds.

North Central moved to 14-8, 4-7 in CCIW play on the strength of 20 points by Anthony Simmons. Mike Wilson added 14 points and six assists for the visitors, who broke a seven-game losing streak with 57 percent field goal shooting.

After the two teams played a tightly-contested first few minutes, Mathisen's jump shot pulled North Park within two points, 15-13, at the 12:10 mark of the first half. However, the visiting Cardinals went on a 22-0 run to pull ahead 37-13 and while the Vikings managed to close the gap at intermission to just 15 points (41-26) the deficit was too much to overcome.

NPU will play a 7:30 p.m. CCIW game at Wheaton College on Saturday before hosting Carthage College at 7:30 p.m. next Monday (February 21).

In women's basketball action Saturday afternoon, Megan Slattery scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the lone offensive bright spot in a 68-43 loss to visiting Illinois Wesleyan University. Jack Surridge's team – now 11-11, 4-8 - plays a 7:30 p.m. conference road game at Elmhurst College on Tuesday. NPU ends its season with a 2 p.m. home contest against Carthage College on Saturday.

Shandrel Young and Tiffany Campbell tallied 10 points apiece to support Slattery offensively. But no Vikings player could match the efficiency of Illinois Wesleyan's Hannah MeHarry. MeHarry made all six of her field goal attempts (including all three from 3-point range) while scoring a game-high 19 points. She scored 13 points as the Titans (13-9, 6-5) took a 44-19 halftime lead.

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