Corey Sorrell (21) drives past Rockhurst for a basket Thursday night.
Box score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the opening three minutes of the game and cruised to a 77-61 victory over Rockhurst on Thursday night.
Corey Sorrell scored 17 points for NKU, which improved to 10-3 overall, 3-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Sorrell, a sophomore forward from Holy Cross High School, netted 13 points in the second half as NKU coasted past the visiting Hawks.
NKU shot 54 percent from the field and held Rockhurst to just 35.6 percent shooting. Rockhurst dropped to 4-9 overall, 2-3 in the GLVC. NKU now holds a 7-1 lead in the all-time series against Rockhurst.
Erik Stenger slammed down a pair of dunks in the first two minutes as NKU bolted out to a 6-0 lead. Rockhurst battled back with four straight points, but the Norse received a pair of free throws from Stenger and consecutive 3-pointers by
Malcolm Eleby and
Dennis Gagai to build a 14-4 lead.
NKU took a 37-20 lead at halftime, but Rockhurst rallied in the second half to pull within seven points on three different occasions. Leading 51-44, NKU used a 23-8 run to build a 74-52 advantage with 2:38 left and coasted to the home victory.
Eleby added 14 points and eight assists, while
Bobby Shannon scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds. Stenger finished with 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
Najja Nicholson scored a game-high 24 points to lead Rockhurst. Nicholson was the only Hawk to score in double figures.
NKU plays host to Missouri-St. Louis at 3:15 p.m. Saturday. The Tritons are 9-3 overall, 4-1 in the GLVC. NKU holds a 16-7 advantage in the all-time series against Missouri-St. Louis.
