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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky's
Eshaunte Jones had no idea he was nearing a pair of milestones in the second half Thursday night, but everyone else in The Bank of Kentucky Center seemed to be aware something special was about to happen.
Jones scored a career-high 30 points to lead Northern Kentucky to a 72-45 win over North Florida in an Atlantic Sun Conference game. The senior guard finished 10-for-15 from the field, including six 3-pointers, as the Norse improved to 10-15 overall, 8-9 in the A-Sun.
His final basket of the night, a short jumper from the left block, also gave him 1,000 career points. The crowd of 3,356 gave Jones a standing ovation for the milestone, which included points during a two-year stint at Nebraska and the last two with Northern Kentucky.
“I really don't pay much attention to all the stats, because I just want to win games,” Jones said. “I had no idea I was nearing my career high for points. My teammates found me when I was open and the shots were falling. It's a blessing being able to play at Northern Kentucky, and I have great coaches and teammates who have helped me reach any milestones.”
Coming off the bench Thursday night, Jones netted 14 points in the first half as the Norse took a 34-26 lead into the locker room. Northern Kentucky blew the game open in the second half with a 16-2 run that turned a 39-28 lead into a 55-30 advantage.
Jones scored eight points during the spurt, including a pair of long treys.
“Eshaunte felt it, and you could tell he was on target all night,' NKU head coach
Dave Bezold said. “I also thought
Ethan Faulkner did a great job of guarding Parker Smith, who is one of the top scorers in our conference. That is twice this year Ethan held Smith below his average.”
Smith, who averages 16.5 points per contest, was held to three points Thursday night. He had scored at least 30 points four times this season, but Faulkner's defensive effort forced Smith into a 1-for-4 shooting night from the floor.
Tyler White added 12 points for the Norse, while Faulkner scored eight points and dished out four assists.
Chad Jackson finished with eight points and six rebounds as NKU swept the season series with North Florida (12-18, 7-10 A-Sun).
The Norse also tied a school record with just three turnovers for the entire game. NKU also accomplished that feat on Feb. 7, 2009, against Indianapolis.
“We really make it a point of emphasis to take care of the basketball. Everyone did a great job tonight in that regard,” Bezold said. “We really shot the ball well in the second half, and during our big run I think we scored in every possession.”
The Norse play their home finale at 8 p.m. Saturday against Jacksonville. Northern Kentucky concludes the season March 14 with a non-conference game at the University of San Francisco.
Jones, Faulkner and fellow senior Stretch Watson will be honored prior to Saturday's game with Jacksonville. Watson finished with six rebounds, four points and two steals during Thursday night's victory.
NORSE NOTES: Faulkner moved past Ryan Schrand for 11th place on the school's all-time assists list with 342. Faulkner also passed Vincent Humphrey for 48th place in Norse history with 704 career points.
