The Carthage College men's basketball team (8-6, 2-1 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) dismantled CCIW-opponent North Park University (4-10, 0-3 CCIW), 82-47, on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Tarble Arena in Kenosha, Wis.
The two North Park "Carlson Crazies" who were escorted out of Tarble Arena by security in the opening minutes missed the Red Men pulling away to a 22-point lead at halftime, 42-20. Carthage took a 10-point lead, 24-14, at 9:03. The Red Men upped their lead to 30 points, 59-29, at 11:17, and to 41 points, 71-31, at 6:45. Carthage went on to win by 35, 82-47.
The Red Men shot a blistering 62 percent (29-47), including 11-of-19 from three-point range. North Park shot just 35 percent for the game (17-49), including 10-of-22 three-pointers. Carthage shot 67 percent in the first half (16-24), while the Vikings managed only 29 percent in the first period (7-24). The Red Men smothered the Vikings, defensively, blocking 10 shots, collecting 10 steals and forcing 21 turnovers. Carthage had a 30-24 rebounding advantage and picked up 23 assists.
Four Carthage players scored in double figures. Malcom Kelly (Jr., Kenosha, Wis./Reuther) scored a game-high 20 points on eight-of-11 shooting, including three-of-four three-pointers. Max Cary (Sr., Geneva, Ill.) had 14 points on five-of-eight field goals and three-of-six three-pointers, along with four assists. Kevin Sykes Jr. (So., Tinley Park, Ill./Frankfort—Lincoln-Way North) and Tyler Pierce (Jr., Westmont, Ill.) came off the bench to add 11 points and four rebounds each. Mark Holmes was the lone North Park player in double figures with 12 points.
"We're playing well right now," said Carthage coach Bosko Djurickovic. "Our quickness and depth are pretty good. We're growing into our roles, and there are not many complaints tonight. We had way more assists than turnovers, and that's good stuff. North Park shot the three very well, but our pressure wore them down. We're going to have to play every game with the same purpose that we've shown in the last two games. We're a long way from where we hope to be, and the three-games coming up on the road are not going to be easy. Illinois Wesleyan will have 2,500 people in the building on Saturday. Yet, we have a lot of big games at home in the second half. We're drawing well, and should be get through this trip, the rest of the season could be fun."
On Saturday, Jan. 14, the Red Men travel to Bloomington, Ill., to take on conference-opponent and No. 25 Illinois Wesleyan University (12-2, 3-0 CCIW) in a 7 p.m. game at the Shirk Center.