By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
CLEVELAND — Don’t look now, but Northern Kentucky University is in sole possession of first place in the Horizon League standings.
Even if it’s only for a few hours.
NKU leapfrogged past Wright State into the top spot Saturday afternoon by posting a 78-61 victory at Cleveland State. The Norse scorched the nets for 54.5 percent shooting from the field — including 11-for-19 from 3-point range — and improved to 17-7 overall, 10-2 in the Horizon League.
With Wright State (9-2 Horizon League) playing at Youngstown State on Saturday night, NKU temporarily cruised into first place by a half game — pending the outcome of the 7 p.m. contest in Youngstown.
Drew McDonald continued to produce big numbers for NKU, finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and a career-high seven assists. The junior forward shot 8-for-12 from the field and controlled the inside with an assortment of offensive moves.
“Drew is the toughest guy to cover in the league,” Brannen said. “He can score inside, he can shoot it from the outside, and he can pass the ball. Drew was also very efficient, and it’s our job as coaches to put him in different spots on the floor because he is so hard to defend.”
NKU wasted no time in establishing the tone of the game, building an 18-9 lead after Tyler Sharpe buried consecutive 3-pointers. Mason Faulkner then scored nine of NKU’s next 13 points — including a pair of 3-pointers — as the Norse extended the advantage to 31-13 with 5:45 remaining before halftime.
NKU led by as many as 22 points in the first half and settled for a 40-26 advantage at the break. Faulkner netted all 14 of his points in the opening 20 minutes, while McDonald scored 11. The Norse shot 70 percent (7-for-10) from 3-point range in the first half and 60 percent from the floor.
Lavone Holland II scored a game-high 21 points for NKU, which led by double figures the entire second half and remained unbeaten (6-0) on the road in Horizon League play. Holland, a senior guard from Louisville, drained a trio of 3-pointers and also grabbed five rebounds.
Sharpe finished with 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting from behind the arc, while Faulkner enjoyed a perfect afternoon from the field (5-for-5, including a trio of 3-pointers) and dished out four assists.
“As a coach, you want to be efficient,” Brannen said. “Right now Tyler Sharpe is allowing us to be efficient. Lavone Holland is making shots, and Mason Faulkner is playing really well. I’ll take 11-for-19 [3-point shooting] any day.”
Sophomore forward Carson Williams added six points and 11 rebounds for NKU, which dominated the glass and finished with a 38-20 advantage on the boards. The Norse limited the Vikings to 41.2 percent shooting from the field.
Kenny Carpenter and Tyree Appleby both scored 13 points for Cleveland State, which dropped to 6-19 overall, 3-9 in the Horizon League. The Vikings, who drained 14 3-pointers to upset Wright State on Thursday, were just 6-for-22 from long range against NKU.
“There are areas we have to clean up, but we’re playing good basketball,” Brannen said after his team swept Cleveland State for the second straight season.
NKU plays host to Milwaukee at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at BB&T Arena.
Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com and follow him on Twitter at @dontribunesport