NKU's Erik Stenger (35) is shooting 72.9 percent from the field.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University plays host to Saint Joseph's in a Great Lakes Valley Conference battle Thursday night at 7:45 p.m.
NKU is 14-4 overall, 7-3 in the GLVC. Saint Joseph's, the defending NCAA Division II Midwest Region champion, is 9-9 overall, 5-5 in the GLVC. NKU owns a 37-20 lead in the all-time series against the Pumas.
NKU and Saint Joseph's split a pair of games last season. The Pumas pulled out a 57-56 win against the Norse on Jan. 30, 2010, in Rensselaer, Ind. NKU later avenged that loss by posting a 66-60 victory over Saint Joseph's on Feb. 28, 2010, in the second round of the GLVC Tournament at Rensselaer, Ind.
NKU concludes the two-game homestand Saturday against Illinois-Springfield t 5:15 p.m. The Norse are 1-0 all-time against the Prairie Stars.
WORKING OVERTIME: NKU shook off a last-second basket by No. 17 Kentucky Wesleyan that forced overtime on Saturday, and the Norse outscored the Panthers 14-5 in the extra session to pull off a 91-82 upset in the Owensboro Sportscenter.
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 percent from the field.
BENCH STRENGTH: Depth was also a factor in Saturday's win, as NKU's bench outscored Kentucky Wesleyan's reserves by a 32-4 margin for the game.
STENGER ON TARGET: NKU sophomore forward
Erik Stenger is shooting 72.9 percent from the field. Stenger is 35-for-48 from the field and averages 5.9 points per game. He also leads NKU with 20 blocked shots.
NO. 1 IN DEFENSE: NKU leads the GLVC in field-goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 41.7 percent. The Norse are also No. 1 in the GLVC in scoring defense at 64.2 ppg.
ELEBY EVERYWHERE: NKU senior guard
Malcolm Eleby is 16th in the GLVC in scoring at 13.6 points per contest. Eleby is ranks seventh in rebounding at 6.5 rpg, and he is fifth in assists at 4.33 apg.
AT HOME: NKU owns an 11-1 record at home this season. The Norse's only loss at home came on Dec. 2, when Southern Indiana posted a 76-63 victory against NKU.
NKU is 35-4 all-time in The Bank of Kentucky Center. The Norse's only losses are to Quincy, Wisconsin-Parkside, Bellarmine and Southern Indiana.
THE LAST TIME AGAINST SAINT JOSEPH'S: On Feb. 28, 2010,
Tony Rack scored 13 points as NKU posted a 66-60 win at Saint Joseph's in the second round of the GLVC Tournament. Rack drained a trio of 3-pointers for the Norse, who shot 53.1 percent from the field.
NKU built a 34-20 halftime lead, but Saint Joseph's rallied and eventually took a 43-42 advantage with 10:35 left in the game. NKU then used an 8-0 run, capped by Rack's 3-pointer, to gain a 50-43 lead and held off the Pumas.
David Palmer scored 11 points and blocked three shots for NKU.
Scott Bibbins added 10 points and five assists. Phillip Collins scored 12 points for Saint Joseph's.
