The NKU men will attempt to snap a three-game losing streak this Saturday.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's basketball team returns to action Saturday at 3:15 p.m. when Wisconsin-Parkside visits The Bank of Kentucky Center.
NKU is 8-7 overall, and the Norse are 1-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Wisconsin-Parkside is 6-9 overall, 1-5 in the GLVC. The Rangers play host to Drury on Thursday night before making the trip to NKU.
NKU owns a 23-7 lead in the all-time series against Wisconsin-Parkside. The Norse are unbeaten (13-0 all-time) against the Rangers in games played in Highland Heights.
NKU continues GLVC play next Monday with a road game at GLVC newcomer Maryville (Mo.) at 4:15 p.m. This will be the first meeting between NKU and Maryville in men's basketball.
STOP THE STREAK: NKU enters Saturday having lost three straight games. Earlier this season, the Norse lost three consecutive games but bounced back to win their next four contests.
INSIDE FORCE: NKU senior center
David Palmer ranks seventh in the GLVC in scoring at 17.7 points per game. Palmer is also seventh in rebounding at 7.3 boards per contest, and he is eighth in field-goal percentage at .562. Palmer is No. 2 in the GLVC in blocked shots with an average of 1.73 rejections per game.
ASSIST LEADER: NKU senior guard
Scott Bibbins has dished out a team-leading 73 assists and ranks fourth in the GLVC at 4.87 apg. Bibbins has also committed just 23 assists the entire season and ranks fourth in the GLVC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.17.
SCORING WOES: NKU ranks 15th in the GLVC in points per game at 68.9 points per game. The Norse are tied for 14th in free-throw percentage at .671 and are 10th in field-goal percentage at .461.
THE LAST TIME AGAINST UW-PARKSIDE: On Feb. 18, 2009,
Dustin Maguire poured in 24 points as NKU rolled to a 74-51 win against Wisconsin-Parkside in The Bank of Kentucky Center.
Leslie Malone added 22 points for the Norse, who shot 62.1 percent from the field in the second half to turn a close game into a blowout.
LaVontay Fenderson led the Rangers with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Wisconsin-Parkside shot just 32.1 percent from the field.
MEIER HONORED: NKU will hold a reception and dinner to honor former athletic director Jane Meier this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The event will be held inside The Bank of Kentucky Center on the veranda. The cost to attend is $50 per plate, and all proceeds will benefit the Jane Meier endowed scholarship fund.
MEIER BOBBLEHEADS: Jane Meier bobblehead dolls will be given to all fans in attendance Saturday when NKU plays host to Wisconsin-Parkside.
BREAK THE BANK DAY: NKU will play host to Bellarmine on Jan. 23 in a “Break The Bank Day” promotion in which all upper-level seats are $1. The NKU women meet Bellarmine at 11:30 a.m., followed by the men's contest at 2 p.m. Call (859) 572-6632 for information.
