Tony Rack (10) scored 19 points for NKU against West Liberty.
Box score
WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – Fourth-ranked West Liberty University opened the second half with a 29-9 run and coasted to a 109-91 victory against No. 23 Northern Kentucky University in a battle of teams ranked in the NCAA Division II national poll.
West Liberty (8-0) owned a 51-44 halftime lead and made a trio of 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the second half to build a 70-53 advantage. The Hilltoppers then scored the next 10 points to cap the 29-9 run for an 80-53 lead with 14:19 remaining in the game.
NKU (6-2) would trail by as many as 37 points (99-62) before staging a late rally. Jordan Fortney scored 24 points to lead West Liberty, which entered the game averaging more than 130 points per contest. Barry Shetzer and John Wolosinczuk each added 22 points for the Hilltoppers, who were 14-for-32 from 3-point range.
Corey Pelle finished with 19 points and 10 assists for West Liberty, while teammate Alex Falk added 11 points. The Hilltoppers were 29-for-40 from the free-throw line.
Bobby Shannon and
Tony Rack both scored 19 points for NKU. The Norse were 12-for-25 from 3-point range but committed 25 turnovers against West Liberty's pressure.
Malcolm Eleby and
Josh Tabb each added 14 points for the Norse, who shot 55.9 percent from the field.
NKU is now 1-2 against nationally ranked teams this season. The Norse defeated then-No. 4 Grand Valley State on Nov. 27, and lost to then-No. 22 Southern Indiana on Dec. 2.
NKU plays host to UC-Clermont Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m.
