The Millikin men's basketball team opened up College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play with a 77-67 win at North Park University in Chicago on January 3.
    Millikin was very effective on the offensive end of the floor hitting 62.5 percent from the field and making 6-8 (75 percent) from three point range.  North Park made 34 percent from the field.  Millikin won the rebounding battle 41-29.
    North Park opened the game with a four point lead, before Millikin took control of the first 10 minutes of the half building a 17-6 advantage with 11:30 left in the first half.  The Big Blue went to the locker room at halftime with a 35-31 lead.  
    The Big Blue built a 10 point lead early in the second half before North Park hit three straight three pointers during an 11-0 run to get back in the game.
TJ Sims hit a three pointer with 9:43 left to play to give the Big Blue breathing room at 56-51.  North Park pulled to within two before TJ Griffin hit a layup with 2:28 left to make it 67-63.  Nick Novak would make it 69-63 with 2:05 left.  
    Sims led Millikin with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.  Nick Novak had 11 points while Griffin and Jacob Kueker each added 10 points.
Zach Long tied Sims for the team high in rebounds with seven.
    Juwan Henry led North Park with 29 points and seven rebounds.
    Millikin is now 6-6, 1-0 while North Park goes to 8-3, 0-1.
    The Big Blue will host #21 North Central College on Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Griswold Center.  The Cardinals opened CCIW play with a 78-72 upset of #9 Illinois Wesleyan.