ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst College women's basketball team snapped a two-game skid by defeating North Park University 70-57 at R.A. Faganel Hall.

Elmhurst (7-9, 2-3 CCIW) never trailed in the contest. The Bluejays broke an early first-half tie by using a 14-2 run to take a 12-point lead with eight minutes left on the clock. Elmhurst carried a 35-25 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

In the second half, North Park closed to within six points in the opening minutes before Elmhurst reestablished a 12-point cushion (45-33) with 16:30 remaining. The Vikings used a 9-0 run to pull to within three points with 12:38 left to play, but North Park (7-9, 1-4 CCIW) couldn't come any closer for the remainder of the game. Leading by three with with 6:30 left to go, Elmhurst closed the game on a 20-7 run to pull away for the 70-57 victory.

Elmhurst shot 37.5 percent (24-of-64) from the floor, including 23.1 percent (3-of-13) from downtown. The Bluejays took advantage of North Park's mistakes, converting 21 turnovers into 24 points. Elmhurst also converted 18 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points. The Bluejays finished with a 41-37 rebounding advantage.

North Park shot 38.0 percent (19-of-50) from the field, including 20.0 percent (1-of-5) from beyond the arc. 

Meghan Merklein led Elmhurst by scoring a game-high 21 points. Merklein shot 8-of-18 from the floor and added four rebounds in the win. Ceejay Harris added 11 points and a team-leading eight rebounds while Megan Ney totaled eight points and six rebounds. 

North Park was led by Roxanne Jones' 20 points and six rebounds. Lyndsey Thompson added 12 points and six boards while Shaina Yalda totaled eight points and six assists for the Vikings. 

Elmhurst hosts Wheaton College on Saturday, January 22.