Despite trailing by as many as 16 points in the second half, the Lake Forest College men's basketball team prevailed 88-79 at North Park University in Friday night's season opener.
North Park was ahead 46-35 at the beginning of the second half and 56-40 a few minutes later. A 9-1 Forester run cut that margin in half and, after a basket by the Vikings restored their double-digit advantage, Lake Forest resumed its comeback with a 33-12 run. Leading by a dozen with four minutes left, the Foresters saw the difference shrink to four at 82-78 with two minutes remaining but the hiome team got no closer.
Marko Visnjevac led the Foresters and matched his career high with 20 points and he added five rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals.
Anthony Favia was next on the squad with a career-high 17 points and
Bennett Nagel also reached double figures with 16 in his collegiate debut.
Chase Honarvar's 10 rebounds and four blocked shots led all players in the contest and he was just one point shy of a double-double.
Coltrane Marchand grabbed nine boards and Nagel eight as the Foresters out-rebounded the Vikings 54-41. Marchand also dished out a team-high four assists.
Both teams shot just 40 percent from the field but Lake Forest outscored North Park 21-15 on three-pointers and 25-16 at the foul line to secure the victory.
The Foresters will take on Carthage College in their home opener next Wednesday night at 7:00.
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