Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Dennis Gagai and Jon Van Hoose showcased their 3-point shooting skills Saturday as Northern Kentucky University cruised past Illinois-Springfield, 99-86, in the annual homecoming game.

Gagai and Van Hoose both scored 19 points and combined to make 11 shots from 3-point range as NKU rolled to the victory before a crowd of 2,502. Van Hoose buried five 3-pointers in the first half and had 16 points as NKU built a 48-33 lead.

Van Hoose, a junior guard from Ashland, Ky., finished 6-for-10 from behind the arc en route to his career-high 19 points. The Norse were 14-for-25 from 3-point range and shot 54.2 percent from the field.

Gagai knocked down five 3-pointers and added nine rebounds for NKU, which finished with a 36-26 edge on the glass. He netted 11 points in the second half, including a trio of 3-pointers.

Josh Tabb added 15 points and four assists as NKU improved to 16-4 overall, 9-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Erik Stenger scored 12 points and blocked two shots for the Norse, who are 2-0 all-time against Illinois-Springfield (6-14 overall, 2-11 GLVC).

NKU bolted out to a 20-9 lead, and the Norse eventually stretched that advantage to 20 points (40-20) when Van Hoose drained a 3-pointer with 4:36 remaining before halftime.

NKU led by as many as 26 points in the second half, but Illinois-Springfield continued to battle and pulled to within 10 points twice late in the game. NKU finished 17-for-21 from the free-throw line in the second half to ice the victory.

Malcolm Eleby dished out six assists and added nine points for NKU, which is 13-1 at home this season. Tony Rack and Ethan Faulkner each scored eight points for the Norse, who have won eight of their last nine games.

NKU hits the road this week to meet Missouri S&T on Thursday at Rolla, Mo. The Norse play at Drury on Saturday in another key GLVC contest.