The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team took control early against Green Bay and never trailed past the opening minutes, holding on for a 69-67 victory at BB&T Arena on Thursday.
The Norse were able to close out the victory after the Phoenix came within two points of NKU with 5:16 to play and stayed within six points of the Norse throughout the remainder of the game.
With the win, NKU improves to 16-9 overall and 7-5 in the Horizon League. Green Bay dips to 15-10 as it suffered just its fourth loss of League play to fall to 9-4.
STAT LEADERS
· Cole Murray led four Norse in double-figures, posting 17 total points with the help of a 5-for-10 showing from three. The senior, who posted 12 of his 17 points in the first half alone, also brought down four rebounds.
· Jeff Garret came within two points of his career-high with 10 in his 14 minutes of action.
· Brennan Gillis and Drew McDonald matched Garret with 10 points apiece, which was a career-high tying mark for Gillis. Gillis also added four rebounds and a pair of assists.
· Lavone Holland II tied his career-high in steals with five and also added three assists and eight points on a 2-for-3 performance from behind the arc.
TURNING POINT
· Green Bay came within two points of NKU with 5:16 remaining, cutting a once-double-digit Norse lead down to 63-61.
· A Holland triple and Gillis layup helped the Norse pull away, building a 69-63 edge with 2:35 on the clock.
· The Phoenix scored the game’s final four points, two of which came from the free-throw line. However, NKU forced a pair of key Green Bay turnovers in the final 34-seconds to help seal the victory.
GAME NOTES
· The Norse improve to 10-2 when at least four Norse score in double-figures.
· With his five 3-pointers on Thursday, Murray is one triple shy of tying for fifth all-time at NKU in career triples made. He now has 237. Further, he is one point shy of breaking into the top-40 all-time in career scoring. Murray entered the game ranked No. 25 in the nation with 74 made threes this year.
· Murray has totaled 31 points in the last two games against Wright State and Green Bay.
· The Norse earned their first-ever program victory over Green Bay in the teams’ four meetings.
· NKU improves to 11-2 when holding opponents to 70 or fewer points.
