NKU improved to 14-4 overall after defeating No. 17 Kentucky Wesleyan.
Box score
OWENSBORO, Ky. – For the fifth time this season, Northern Kentucky University squared off against a team ranked in the NCAA Division II national poll when the Norse visited No. 17 Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday.
NKU shook off a last-second basket by Kentucky Wesleyan that forced overtime and outscored the Panthers 14-5 in the extra session to pull off a 91-82 upset in the Owensboro Sportscenter. The Norse upped their overall record to 14-4, including a 7-3 slate in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Bobby Shannon and
Malcolm Eleby each scored 17 points to lead the Norse, who are now 2-3 against nationally ranked opponents this season.
Josh Tabb and
Corey Sorrell both added 13 points apiece for NKU, which shot 56.4 percent from the field.
Depth was also a factor, as NKU's bench outscored Kentucky Wesleyan's reserves by a 32-4 margin for the game.
NKU owned a 77-75 lead with seven seconds remaining in regulation after Tabb converted one of two free throws. Following a timeout, Kentucky Wesleyan's Cardell McFarland drove the length of the court and scooped in a basket with 0.6 seconds on the clock to tie the game at 77-all.
In the overtime, NKU was 4-for-5 from the field and led the entire session.
Dennis Gagai scored a basket while being fouled to begin the overtime, and he converted the free throw to give NKU an 80-77 lead. After Kentucky Wesleyan's Kwan Waller made two free throws, Tabb and Eleby added consecutive baskets to extend the Norse advantage to 84-79.
Anthony Young led Kentucky Wesleyan (13-4 overall, 6-4 GLVC) with 23 points.
Less than 48 hours earlier, NKU dropped an 85-74 decision at No. 2 Bellarmine. NKU defeated then-No. 4 Grand Valley State (81-65) and lost to then-No. 22 Southern Indiana (76-63) and then-No. 4 West Liberty (109-91).
West Liberty is currently ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll.
Tabb dished out a team-leading seven assists for NKU, which shot 7-for-12 from 3-point range in the second half. The Norse were 8-for-17 in trey attempts for the game.
NKU plays host to defending Midwest Region champion Saint Joseph's at 7:45 p.m. Thursday.
