Box Score CHICAGO, Ill. - The Elmhurst men's basketball team upped its record to 10-5 overall and 2-2 in the CCIW by holding off North Park for a 70-67 road victory.

Elmhurst led for the entire first half, racing out to a 12-3 lead before North Park closed to within two points (30-28) at the half.

The Bluejays lengthened their lead to seven points early in the second half, before North Park evened the score at 50 on a pair of Garrett Gatz free throws. A free throw from Aaron Weaver gave the Vikings their first lead of the game with just 10 minutes remaining.

Elmhurst responded with a 9-0 run over the next four minutes, opening up a 59-51 cushion with just 6:09 left. The Bluejays led 63-54 with 4:28 remaining after a Kyle Wuest lay-up.

North Park quickly answered back with an 11-2 run over the next two minutes to pull even at 65-65. Elmhurst reclaimed the lead on a Kenny Payonk bucket with 1:46 left, but the Vikings answered right back with a bucket from Reggie McGee to knot the score at 67 with 1:26 left to play.

Elmhurst controlled the offensive glass on its next possession, pulling down three offensive rebounds while running the clock down to just 14 seconds. Nick Sanford was fouled by the Vikings and split a pair of free throws to put the Bluejays up 68-67. Pat Coleman sealed the win for Elmhurst with a steal and two free throws in the game's closing seconds.

Elmhurst shot just 36.7 percent (22-of-60) from the floor after a sluggish opening half (9-of-32 for 28.1 percent). The Bluejays shot 13-of-28 (46.4 percent) in the second half. Elmhurst was solid from the foul line, converting 21-of-30 free throw attempts (70 percent). Elmhurst was dominant on the glass, outrebounding North Park 52-33. The Bluejays turned 20 offensive rebounds into 24 second-chance points.

Taylor Baxter poured in 20 points and collected nine rebounds to lead the Bluejays in the win. Sanford finished with a double-double, totaling 17 points and 13 rebounds. Kyle Wuest came off the bench to score 15  for the Bluejays.

Weaver led North Park in the loss with 18 points and eight rebounds. Juwan Henry added 15 points while Joe Biko scored 12 for the Vikings.

Elmhurst travels to North Central College on Saturday, January 18.