Second half was an absolute clinic by NKU. Nice to see they had to sell seats in the upper arena.

 

McDonald was tough inside as EKU tried to guard him with smaller players. Williams might be the most athletic player on the team and with his motor it was lights out for EKU when he got the ball in the paint. NKU guard play was very good with limited turnovers and nice assists and scoring.

 

 

 

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's basketball team rolled past Eastern Kentucky on Sunday evening by a final score of 91-63. Drew McDonald and Carson Williams combined to shoot 19-of-23 (83 percent) from the floor and score 44 points in lifting NKU to 7-3 overall and 5-0 at BB&T Arena. EKU falls to 4-6 on the year.

 

 

STATS LEADERS

 

McDonald just missed out on a double-double with 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting and nine rebounds.

Williams added 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting and six rebounds, three assists and career-high five steals.

Dantez Walton and Lavone Holland II each had 10 points in the contest.

 

TURNING POINT

 

Leading by eight points at halftime, NKU started the second half on a 10-1 run to build a comfortable 17-point lead and put the game out of reach.

 

FIRST-HALF SUMMARY

 

With the score tied 4-4 early in the first half, NKU went on a 7-0 run to take an 11-4 lead. Williams capped the run with an impressive steal and dunk.

EKU battled back and took an 18-15 lead with 10:09 to play in the half.

The Norse proceeded to go on another 7-0 run to take a 22-18 lead.

NKU took a 37-29 lead into the half, despite a 1-for-13 (7.7%) showing from behind the arc.

McDonald was the top scorer in the half with 15 points, and Walton added eight points for the Norse.

NKU was 14-of-30 (46.7%) from the floor, while EKU went 12-of-30 (40.0%).

The Norse had a big advantage in points in the paint during the half, outscoring EKU 24-10.

 

 

SECOND-HALF SUMMARY

 

The Norse went on a 10-1 in the first 3:21 of the second half to build a 17-point lead.

Williams and Holland each had highlight-reel alley-oop dunks in the half.

NKU kept building on to its lead and finished the game with a 91-63 victory.

The Norse shot a blistering 25-of-35 (71.4%) from the floor in the second half.

After having just six assists in the first half, the Norse had 16 in the second half.

NKU forced eight turnovers in the half.

The Norse outscored EKU 54-34 in the half.

 

 

 

GAME NOTES

 

Four different players scored in double figures for the Norse, who improved to 5-0 on the season when four or more players reach double-digits.

NKU finished the game shooting 39-of-65 (60.0%) and held EKU to 25-of-55 (45.5%) from the floor.

The Norse outscored EKU 64-22 in the paint.

NKU also had a 39-24 advantage on the boards, which included 15 offensive rebounds. The persistency on the glass helped the team to 22 second-chance points.

The Norse also outscored EKU 21-4 in fast break points.

NKU had 22 assists on 39 made baskets in the contest.

Jordan Garnett tied a career high with five assists.

 

 

 

NEXT UP

 

NKU travels to UMBC on Sunday, Dec. 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. in Baltimore, Maryland.

 

 

McDonald and Williams combined with a strong second half help @NKUNorseMBB roll past EKU, 91-63 - NKU Athletics

Impressive win for the Norse.

Fun game to watch. Good crowd for a Sunday night. This team is good.

EKU is a bad team and they are part of a bad athletic program. They are in bad need of better, more forward-thinking leadership.

 

In no way is this meant as a knock on NKU's win. The Norse are a good team.

The Colonels got cheated or something.

The Colonels got cheated or something.

 

Are you sure they didn't lose because of the refs?

The Alumni Norse players, and the Members of the 1995-96 and the 1996-97 NCAA D-II Runner-Up Norse were recognized at halftime.

Coach Ken Shields drew a spontaneous standing ovation, despite the fact that he hasn't coached a game on the Highland Heights campus since 2004.

 

I was sitting on the concourse conducting a Ken Shields Life Story book signing, and it was gratifying hearing the roar of the crowd emitting from what, only a few years ago, was a hollow arena with only a smattering of fans.

 

Congrats to the NKU admin and to Coach John Brannen for breathing life back into this program, and getting out a strong crowd on a Sunday night against an in-state school rival.

The Alumni Norse players, and the Members of the 1995-96 and the 1996-97 NCAA D-II Runner-Up Norse were recognized at halftime.

Coach Ken Shields drew a spontaneous standing ovation, despite the fact that he hasn't coached a game on the Highland Heights campus since 2004.

 

I was sitting on the concourse conducting a Ken Shields Life Story book signing, and it was gratifying hearing the roar of the crowd emitting from what, only a few years ago, was a hollow arena with only a smattering of fans.

 

Congrats to the NKU admin and to Coach John Brannen for breathing life back into this program, and getting out a strong crowd on a Sunday night against an in-state school rival.

The difference between last night and just 2 seasons ago is incredible. If you’re Ken Buthof how do you not sit there and just love every minute of this. Dude looks like a genius.

The difference between last night and just 2 seasons ago is incredible. If you’re Ken Buthof how do you not sit there and just love every minute of this. Dude looks like a genius.

 

He does seem to have a smile on his face every time that I walk past him haha! Hard to blame him.

Fun game to watch. Good crowd for a Sunday night. This team is good.

 

I was pretty impressed with the size of the crowd for a Sunday Night game as well. Looking forward to see if it starts filling up a little more with conference play.

 

Carson Williams is a player I sure do enjoy watching.

Really nice crowd. Entertaining game.

 

This makes 5 in a row to start the season that the Norse have eclipsed the 80 point mark at home. Wonder if Dominoes is going to rethink their pizza giveaway for next season? :lol2:

Really nice crowd. Entertaining game.

 

This makes 5 in a row to start the season that the Norse have eclipsed the 80 point mark at home. Wonder if Dominoes is going to rethink their pizza giveaway for next season? :lol2:

 

Now you have my attention? Tell me more and I might even attend a game.

Now you have my attention? Tell me more and I might even attend a game.

 

If they score 80 or more, you get a free dominoes medium pizza the next day with your ticket.

 

It shouldn't take pizza to get people in the building though. The product is worth way more than the price of admission.

If they score 80 or more, you get a free dominoes medium pizza the next day with your ticket.

 

It shouldn't take pizza to get people in the building though. The product is worth way more than the price of admission.

 

Is it for everyone or do they draw a section before hand?

Is it for everyone or do they draw a section before hand?

 

Everyone. All you have to do is order a pizza the next day and present your ticket when you pick it up.