The first half featured eight ties and six lead changes as both teams traded buckets in the early going. The biggest lead for either team was seven points when Elmhurst led 32-25. North Park closed the half on a 5-1 run to pull to within three-points at 33-30 at halftime. In the first half, Elmhurst shot 37.9 percent from the floor (11-of-29) and 33.3 percent (2-of-6). North Park hit 12-of-32 attempts from the floor (37.5 percent) and 4-of-8 (50 percent) from downtown. Elmhurst owned a 27-20 rebounding advantage at halftime.
Elmhurst managed to push its lead to eight points on four occasions early in the second half, but North Park never let the Bluejays pull away, closing to within five points at 53-48 with 9:50 to play. Elmhurst responded with a 9-3 run to take a 62-51 lead with 6:37 to play. Elmhurst would push its lead up to 16 points with 4:41 to play. The Bluejays went on to win the contest 75-63.
For the game, Elmhurst shot 45.5 percent from the floor (25-of-55) and 37.5 percent from 3-point range (6-of-16). The Bluejays converted 19-of-29 free throw attempts (65.5 percent). North Park hit 24-of-59 shots from the floor (40.7 percent) and 4-of-13 from 3-point range (30.8) percent. The Vikings struggled from the free throw line, hitting just 11-of-21 attempts (52.4 percent). The Bluejays dominated the glass, outrebounding the Vikings 45-31.
Chris Martin led the Bluejays with 15 points and nine rebounds. Nick Michael and Evan Patchett each recorded double-doubles in the win. Michael finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds and a team-high five assists. Patchett tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds. David Gershenzon provided the Bluejays with a second-half spark, scoring all 10 of his points in the second half.
North Park was led by Brett Mathisen’s 18 points and six rebounds. Je’shawon Stevenson tallied 13 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
The Bluejays host North Central College on Wednesday, January 19, at 7:30 p.m.