Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Photo gallery | Box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – David Palmer scored a career-high 39 points as Northern Kentucky University outlasted UC-Clermont in overtime, 91-89, Wednesday night in The Bank of Kentucky Center.

Palmer, a 6-foot-9 senior center, was 17-for-27 from the field and grabbed nine rebounds. Palmer's 39-point performance tied for the third-highest scoring total in NKU history, and his 17 field goals equaled the school record.

Four other NKU players - Derek Fields, David Marshall, Brady Jackson and Richard Derkson – have also scored 39 points in a game. Mike Kelsey scored a school-record 50 points for the Norse against Indianapolis on Jan. 2, 2004. Greg Phelia netted 43 points against Kentucky Wesleyan on Jan. 18, 1992, for the second-highest scoring total in NKU history.

Chris Knight and Corey Sorrell each added 18 points for NKU, which improved to 7-4. Knight scored six points in the overtime and made two free throws with 8.4 seconds remaining to give the Norse a 91-86 cushion. UC-Clermont's Maurice McGee drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to account for the final margin.

Jose Narvaez led UC-Clermont (10-5) with 22 points and 18 rebounds. Kraig Unger added 23 points for the Cougars, who are 0-7 all-time against NKU. Travis Donald finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Cougars.

NKU held a 72-65 lead with 6:14 remaining in regulation, but UC-Clermont used an 8-2 spurt to pull within a point (74-73) on a layup by A.J. Frazier with 3:55 left on the clock.

UC-Clermont took a 78-76 lead with 2:07 remaining after Unger scored a basket while being fouled and converted the free throw. Palmer tied the game at 78-all with a basket at the 1:52 mark, and both teams missed chances to win in the closing seconds of regulation.

Scott Bibbins dished out 11 assists for NKU, which shot 50.6 percent from the field. The Norse were just 1-for-13 from 3-point range, but Palmer's inside dominance helped NKU avoid the upset.

Knight and Sorrell each pulled down eight rebounds. Ethan Faulkner added six points and six rebounds for the Norse.

UC-Clermont, a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, won the rebounding battle by a 50-44 margin. Earlier this season at Batavia, Ohio, NKU coasted to a 90-65 win against UC-Clermont.

NKU resumes Great Lakes Valley Conference play Jan. 2 with a home game against Lewis at 3:15 p.m. The Norse also meet Quincy on Jan. 4 in The Bank of Kentucky Center.

Northern Kentucky single-game scoring - top nine performances in Norse history

1. Mike Kelsey, 50 points vs. Indianapolis (Jan. 2, 2004) - L, 95-92 ot
2. Greg Phelia, 43 points vs. Kentucky Wesleyan (Jan. 18, 1992) - W, 114-109 2ot
3. (tie) Derek Fields, 39 points vs. Kentucky State (Feb. 15, 1989) - W, 121-111
3. (tie) David Palmer, 39 points vs. UC-Clermont (Dec. 23, 2009) - W, 91-89 ot
3. (tie) David Marshall, 39 points vs. Indianapolis (Jan. 4, 1992) - W, 104-81
3. (tie) Brady Jackson, 39 points vs. Central State (Jan. 2, 1982) - W, 87-69
3. (tie) Richard Derkson, 39 points vs. Rose-Hulman (Jan. 11, 1972) - W, 98-85
8. Antoine Smith, 38 points vs. Indianapolis (Jan. 15, 1994) - W, 91-85
9. Dan Doellman, 37 points vs. Bellarmine (Jan. 29, 1977) - W, 80-78