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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Adam Pegg scored 17 points as Stetson rallied from an early 8-0 deficit to post a 62-46 win over Northern Kentucky on Saturday night in The Bank of Kentucky Center.
Joel Naburgs and Chris Perez added 11 points apiece for Stetson, which improved to 12-14 overall, 9-6 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The Hatters were 10-for-25 from 3-point range and held Northern Kentucky (8-14 overall, 6-8 A-Sun) to 34.9 percent shooting from the field.
“Stetson did a great job after falling behind, but we need guys to step up and hit shots,” Northern Kentucky head coach
Dave Bezold said. “We gave up some offensive rebounds that resulted in Stetson getting good looks at 3-pointers, and they made us pay by hitting them.”
Jack Flournoy came off the bench and scored 14 points to lead Northern Kentucky. The freshman forward knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and made all four of his free throws. Freshman guard
Todd Johnson added eight points in a reserve role for the Norse, and he also drained a pair of treys.
“The freshmen came in and did a good job for us on the offensive end,” Bezold said. “We needed someone to pick up the scoring tonight, and they both played well.”
Norse leading scorer
Eshaunte Jones finished with 11 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Stretch Watson added six points and five rebounds for Northern Kentucky, which bolted out to an 8-0 lead in the opening three minutes in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 3,223.
“The crowd was great again, and I can't say enough about the way the fans have supported us in our first season in Division I,” Bezold said. “We started out very fast, but Stetson fought back and the next thing you know, we're down nine (29-20).”
Stetson used a 15-5 run to turn a 15-14 deficit into a 29-20 advantage on two free throws by Pegg with 4:27 left in the first half. The Hatters did not score again in the first half but still took a 29-22 lead into the break.
The Hatters took control of the game in the second half and led by as many as 19 points. Pegg netted 11 points after the break for Stetson, while Naburgs scored eight points. Hunter Miller scored nine points and dished out five assists for the Hatters, who are 2-0 all-time against Northern Kentucky.
Last month, Stetson posted a 71-59 win over Northern Kentucky in DeLand, Fla.
Northern Kentucky hits the road for two games in Georgia next week, beginning Thursday night at Kennesaw State. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
