The Millikin women's basketball team defeated North Park University 48-40 on Feb. 2 at the Griswold Center in Decatur, Ill.

          Millikin used a late game push to pull out the victory.  The Big Blue's second half surge was driven by junior guard Brittany Czaplicki who finished the game with a team high 20 points, six rebounds and four steals.   Czaplicki was seemingly involved in every play down the stretch driving to the hoop for layups, grabbing rebounds and diving on the floor for loose balls.  Czaplicki even finished off the game grabbing her own rebound off a missed free throw and converting the layup.  Holly Haskins had 10 points, four steals and three rebounds.  Senior Nikki Tipsword scored nine points and pulled down five important defensive rebounds.  Tipsword's three-pointer with 6:14 left to play gave Millikin the lead for good.  It was Millikin's only three-point basket in the game.

          Millikin shot 36 percent from the field while North Park shot 34 percent.  The teams tied with 31 rebounds each.  Millikin forced the Vikings into 29 turnovers while Millikin committed 20.

          North Park's top scorer was Dana Christensen with nine points.  Sarah Peterson and Nicole Kruckman tied for the team high in rebounds with five each.

          Millikin earned its second straight CCIW win and is now 7-13, 2-8 while North Park falls to 13-8, 4-6. 

          The Big Blue will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. at 7:30 p.m.