Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University's defense contained the top scorer in the Great Lakes Valley Conference on Saturday, and the Norse cruised to a 70-58 victory against Missouri-St. Louis in The Bank of Kentucky Center.

NKU junior guard Tony Rack took on the assignment of defending Missouri-St. Louis scoring machine Gerald Fulton, who entered Saturday's game averaging a GLVC-leading 24.1 points per contest. Rack helped limit Fulton to 15 points, including just four in the first half as NKU built a 36-28 lead.

NKU effectively ran an extra defender at Fulton on many half-court sets, taking the Missouri-St. Louis scoring machine out of his game. Fulton, facing a trapping double-team, had three turnovers and just two assists in 37 minutes of action.

Josh Tabb scored 18 points and dished out five assists to lead NKU. Bobby Shannon added 13 points, four rebounds and three steals as the Norse improved to 11-3 overall, 4-2 in the GLVC.

NKU built a 20-point lead midway through the second half and coasted to its third straight win. Rack added nine points – all on 3-pointers – as the Norse avenged last season's 57-56 loss at Missouri-St. Louis.

NKU closed the first half with a 6-0 run to take a 36-28 lead into the locker room. The Norse then scored the first nine points of the second half to extend their advantage to 45-28.

Erik Stenger pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and blocked two shots for NKU, which is 17-7 all-time against Missouri-St. Louis. Malcolm Eleby added 10 points and three assists for the Norse, while Dennis Gagai scored eight points.

Fulton led Missouri-St. Louis (9-4 overall, 4-2 GLVC) with 15 points, and Justyn Watkins added 12 points. Fulton was held to just 3-for-10 shooting from the field. Missouri-St. Louis shot 45.7 percent from the field, and NKU made 43.9 percent of its attempts from the floor.

NKU concludes its three-game homestand Thursday when Maryville visits The Bank of Kentucky Center at 7:45 p.m.