Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

CHICAGO (Dec. 13, 2025) - The North Central College men's basketball team built a six-point halftime lead but could not slow North Park University's second-half surge, as the Vikings pulled away for a 95-84 victory Saturday night at Carlson Gymnasium.

The Cardinals were efficient early on, scoring on eight of the first 14 possessions to take an 18-14 lead. A pair of three-pointers from Seth Cheney and Tre Davis kept North Central in front, 26-24. After the Vikings knotted the contest at 28-28, Cheney buried a three pointer before making both ends of a trip to the free throw line. Sean Molloy hit a three pointer to put the Cardinals ahead, 36-28, with 4:11 left in the first half.

North Park answered the Cardinal run to come within a point, 36-35, before a deep ball from Tyler Swierczek sparked a five-point swing as North Central held a six-point advantage at halftime, 43-37.
The teams traded baskets early in the second half as a jumper by James Bullock Jr. put the Cardinals up 55-45 with 16:23 to play. A 10-1 run from North Park evened the contest at 56-56. A fastbreak layup from Justin Sveiteris halted the run, followed by a Swierczek basket in the paint. 

Following another three pointer from Cheney, Alejandro Diaz put the Cardinals up six, 66-60. With 7:10 to go, the Vikings tied the game at 67-67. After North Park took their first lead of the second half, Molloy knotted the contest at 71-71 with a pair of free throws. The Vikings hit four consecutive three-pointers to go on a 12-2 run, taking an 83-73 lead with 2:58 to play. Molloy and Sveiteris scored four quick points, but North Park hit free throws down the stretch to claim a 95-84 victory.

Six players scored in double-figures for the Cardinals, led by Molloy with 15. Cheney (14), Swierczek (13), Bullock Jr. (12), Diaz (10) and Sveiteris (10) chipped in for North Central on offense. Diaz added eight rebounds and six assists. The Cardinals shot 43.8 percent from the field and made 12 three-pointers, while also recording seven blocked shots on the defensive end.

North Park was led by Mike Vuckovic, who scored a game-high 26 points to go along with seven assists. Julian Campbell added 16 points, while Kolden Vanlandingham scored 14 as the Vikings shot 67.8 percent in the second half to pull away.

The Cardinals take on Bradley University in an exhibition Sunday at the Renaissance Coliseum. North Central returns to Division III action Wednesday by visiting Hope College for a 6 p.m. (ET) tipoff at the DeVos Fieldhouse.