The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team rolled past Thomas More in an exhibition contest on Tuesday evening by a final score of 84-47. It was the team’s final tune-up before the regular season begins next week.
STATS LEADERS
- Drew McDonald just missed out on a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds.
- Dantez Walton added 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including 3-of-4 behind the arc.
- Bryant Mocaby chipped in 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor.
- Tyler Sharpe and Adrian Nelson were also in double figures, as each scored 10 points.
- Zaynah Robinson tallied eight points and seven assists.
TURNING POINT
- Going into halftime, the Norse had a 19-point lead. NKU outscored Thomas More 24-9 over the first 11 minutes of the second half to put the game well out of reach.
FIRST-HALF SUMMARY
- The Norse had a 10-3 lead at the first media timeout. Jalen Tate was 2-for-2 from the floor early in the game, and NKU forced four turnovers.
- NKU went on a 10-0 run midway through the half to jump out to a 30-12 lead.
- The Norse went ahead 44-25 at halftime. The 19-point margin tied the largest lead of the first half.
- NKU were 18-of-28 (64.3%) from the floor during the period, and McDonald led the team with 12 points. He went 4-of-4 from two-point range, 2-of-2 behind the arc, and 2-of-2 at the free throw line.
- The Norse forced 11 turnovers, which led to 19 points in the half.
SECOND-HALF SUMMARY
- The Norse outscored Thomas More 24-9 over the first 11 minutes of the half to build a 68-34 lead.
- The Saints never got closer than 29 points in the second half, and NKU went on to win by a final score of 84-47. The 37-point margin was the largest lead of the game.
- NKU held Thomas More to 6-of-23 (26.1%) shooting in the half.
- The Norse went 17-of-25 (68.0%) on field goals during the period.
- NKU also had a 22-0 advantage in points in the paint.
GAME NOTES
- The Norse went 24-for-24 on two-point field goals in the game.
- NKU shot 11-of-29 (37.9%) on three-point attempts.
- The Norse had 26 assists in the contest compared to five for Thomas More.
- NKU’s bench outscored Thomas More’s bench 33-3.
- The Norse had a 46-4 advantage in points in the paint.
NEXT UP
- The Norse open up the regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 6 against Wilmington. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at BB&T Arena, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
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