After leading by as many 19 in the first half, the Vikings closed the gap to only seven points at 46-39 with under 16 minutes to play in the second half after a three-pointer by Brett Mathisen. However, North Central responded and by the time Anthony Simmons (Bolingbrook, Ill./Romeoville) connected on a short jumper with eight minutes to play, the Cardinals held a comfortable 62-45 lead.
Simmons would finish with a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds. Also finishing in double figures for North Central were Dan Walton (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) with 12 points and seven rebounds, and Chris Drennan (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington), Adam Krumtinger (Towanda, Ill./Normal) and Ray Vicario (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) all with 12 points.
Jason Gordon scored 19 to lead North Park. Mathisen finished with 12 points.
North Central plays at Millikin University in another CCIW contest Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m.