By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — In totally different ways Thursday night, Drew McDonald and Jordan Garnett guided Northern Kentucky University to a 95-85 win over Youngstown State in the Beeghly Center.
McDonald scored 26 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds as NKU rallied in the second half and held off the upset-minded Penguins. The Norse shot 64.3 percent from the field during the final 20 minutes to overcome a 43-40 halftime deficit and improved to 16-7 overall, 9-2 in the Horizon League.
McDonald collected his third consecutive double-double and 11th of the season to lead NKU. The junior forward from Newport Central Catholic now has 27 career double-doubles, including nine in the past 13 games.
“Drew was phenomenal, and he kept us close in the first half,” NKU head coach John Brannen said, noting McDonald’s 14 points before intermission. “He was awesome. He coaches us on the floor, and does so many things. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
With the two teams trading baskets early in the second half, Youngstown State still owned a 53-52 lead following a Tyree Robinson basket with 15:32 left on the clock. Tyler Sharpe countered with a 3-pointer and Garnett made a pair of free throws to give NKU a 57-53 advantage, but Robinson answered with another score to cut the Norse lead to 57-55.
“I knew it would be a battle, [Youngstown State] was excited to play us,” Brannen said. “I knew we would get their best shot.”
Youngstown State continued hanging around until NKU used a 12-3 run that extended a 66-61 lead into a 78-64 advantage when Garnett drained a 3-pointer with 8:52 remaining.
Garnett, a senior forward from Indianapolis, finished with a career-high six assists, five points and two steals. Brannen also praised Garnett’s defensive presence as a key to the win.
Youngstown State (6-18 overall, 4-7 Horizon League) chipped away and pulled to within five points (86-81) with 3:28 remaining, but NKU responded with a 6-0 spurt — baskets by Carson Williams and Mason Faulkner sandwiched around two Lavone Holland II free throws — to seal the victory.
Williams netted 13 of his 19 points in the second half and shot 9-for-12 from the field. Sharpe came of the bench and buried four 3-pointers, finishing with 15 points. Holland added 11 points — all in the second half — while Faulkner chipped in 12 points.
NKU shot 59.6 percent from the field and was 10-for-19 from 3-point range. McDonald finished 9-for-11 from the field, dished out three assists and collected three steals as the Norse won their fifth straight Horizon League road game.
Braun Hartfield led Youngstown State with 23 points, while Robinson scored 19 off the bench. NKU held Youngstown State leading scorer Cameron Morse to just three points in the second half. The senior guard netted 10 points before halftime and finished with 13.
“Morse is a great scorer, and we put a little more length on him in the second half,” Brannen said.
NKU concludes the road trip Saturday at 3 p.m. against Cleveland State. The Vikings are 6-18 overall, 3-8 in the Horizon League after their victory over Wright State.
Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com and follow him on Twitter at @dontribunesport