Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – David Palmer and Chris Knight combined for 35 points, 16 rebounds and six blocked shots to lead Northern Kentucky University to a 78-56 win over Mount Vernon Nazarene on Saturday.

Palmer finished with 21 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots, while Knight added 14 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and a block. The 6-foot-9 Palmer was 7-for-11 from the field, while Knight finished 7-for-14.

NKU shot 50.8 percent from the field and improved to 6-4 with the non-conference victory. The Norse won easily despite committing 18 turnovers and shooting 60 percent from the free-throw line.

Corey Sorrell scored a career-high 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out five assists for NKU, which held Mount Vernon Nazarene to 25 percent shooting from the field in the first half to build a 37-19 lead at the break. Sorrell came off the bench and sparked NKU with 10 points in the first half.

Dennis Gagai added 15 points for the Norse and was 3-for-8 from 3-point range. Gagai netted nine points in the first half. NKU finished 7-for-16 in 3-point attempts.

Scott Bibbins dished out nine assists and committed just one turnover for the Norse. It marked the second straight game that Bibbins finished with nine assists.

NKU led by as many as 27 points in the second half and cruised past the visiting Cougars (5-5). Brandon Short scored 15 points and had six assists for Mount Vernon Nazarene.

NKU has now won 24 consecutive games against NAIA opponents, dating back to 1993. Saturday marked the first game between NKU and Mount Vernon Nazarene in men's basketball.

NKU returns to action Dec. 23 by playing host to UC-Clermont at 7 p.m. in The Bank of Kentucky Center.