CHICAGO, Ill. — The Carthage College men's basketball team dropped a close 72-68 road loss to North Park in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action on Wednesday evening at North Park Gymnasium. 

The Vikings (3-14, 1-7 CCIW) started with a 22-15 lead over the Red Men (11-6, 3-5 CCIW).  A three pointer from TJ Best narrowed the gap to six at 30-24 with 6:11 remaining in the half. North Park pushed the lead back to 10 before taking an 11 point lead into the intermission break up 40-29.

Carthage began the second half with a 17-5 run switching the score in favor of the Red Men 46-45. Six lead changes and one tie happened over the next eight minutes of play with North Park regaining control of the game at 59-57 before expanding the margin to 10 with 3:47 left in regulation. A quick 8-0 run for the Red Men made it 67-65 with a jumper from Jordon Kedrowski. The Vikings retaliated with a free throw and a three pointer to make the score 71-65. Carthage kept close with North Park cutting the deficit to three before a final three throw and a missed three pointer from Kedrowski gave the Vikings the 72-68 victory. 

The Red Men return to action on Saturday, January facing Wheaton (Ill.) at home, tipoff is set for 7 p.m.