Box score
(Photos courtesy of East Tennessee State sports information)
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. –
Eshaunte Jones poured in 25 points, including a 3-pointer while being fouled with 26.7 seconds left in the game, as Northern Kentucky University held on for a 70-68 victory over East Tennessee State on Thursday night.
Jones made a career-high seven 3-pointers for Northern Kentucky, which improved to 7-11 overall, 5-5 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. His final trey, which banked in after he was fouled taking the shot from the left wing, resulted in a four-point play that extended a 66-65 Norse lead to 70-65.
“I did not mean to bank it in at all, but the shot clock was winding down and I had a good look,” Jones said. “The defender hit me just as I released it, and thankfully it went in.”
Rashawn Rembert buried a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left to cut the Northern Kentucky lead to 70-68. After a Norse turnover with 10 seconds left, East Tennessee State had a final chance to tie or win, but Jarvis Jones missed a driving layup, and Northern Kentucky's Stretch Watson pulled down the rebound as time expired.
The Norse drained five consecutive 3-point shots early in the second half as part of an 18-7 run that turned a 31-28 deficit at the break into a 46-38 lead with 12:31 remaining in the game.
Jack Flournoy knocked down a trio of 3-pointers to ignite the Norse second-half spurt.
Jones added a pair of treys during the run, including a 35-footer as the shot clock was running down that found nothing but the bottom of the net. During his last three games, Jones has averaged 25.3 points per contest and he was named the A-Sun Player of the Week on Tuesday.
“What an unreal performance by our entire team, and Jones continues to be on a roll with his shooting,” NKU head coach
Dave Bezold said, noting his team shot 59.3 percent from the field in the second half. “Our second-half performance was one of the best we've had as far as shooting, and this is a great win for our program."
Chad Jackson scored five points in the final three minutes to key the victory. His conventional three-point play gave the Norse a 64-63 lead, and he later followed his own miss with a tip-in basket to extend the advantage to 66-63 at the 1:46 mark.
Jarvis Jones scored 23 points for East Tennessee State (6-17 overall, 4-6 Atlantic Sun Conference), while Lester Wilson added 16 points. Jones scored 14 points in the first half as East Tennessee State took a 31-28 lead into the locker room. The Buccaneers rallied from a 17-11 deficit by hitting the Norse with a 15-2 run to gain a 26-19 advantage on a Jones 3-pointer.
“It was their Jones against our Jones, and they both were outstanding,” Bezold said.
Jones and Watson combined for Northern Kentucky's first 15 points as the Norse built a 15-9 lead. Jones drained a pair of early 3-pointers, and Watson netted seven consecutive points, capped by a trey that gave the Norse the 15-9 advantage.
By halftime, Jones and Watson each had 12 points. Jackson netted the other four Northern Kentucky points in the first half.
Northern Kentucky scored the first nine points of the second half to take a 37-31 lead on Flournoy's 3-pointer from the left corner. The Norse began hitting the open looks against the 2-3 zone employed by East Tennessee State, which was very effective in the first half.
“They play a very tough 2-3 zone, and they defend the gaps as well,” Jones said. “It was a very tough game, but it's a great win.”
Earlier this season, East Tennessee State had posted a 49-44 win over Northern Kentucky in Highland Heights, Ky. Watson scored 16 points for the Norse, while Flournoy (11) and Jackson (12) also netted double figures. Jackson and Jones each grabbed nine rebounds.
Northern Kentucky plays at USC Upstate at 5 p.m. Saturday. That game will be available on ESPN3.
