Box Score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Chad Jackson finished with a game-high-tying 12 points and game-high nine rebounds for the Northern Kentucky University men's basketball team in a 67-42 loss to No. 16/17 West Virginia University at The Bank of Kentucky Center on Sunday night in front of 5,089 fans.
Jordan Jackson joined Chad Jackson in double-figures after pouring in 10 points and six rebounds as the Norse fell to 3-5 on the season.
Devin Williams and Juwan Staten posted 12 points apiece to lead the WVU scoring effort. Staten also lead the Mountaineers in rebounding with eight. Jonathan Holt added 10 points for West Virginia (8-1) as the team shot 39 percent (23-of-59) on the game.
"The first half our defense, intensity and focus kept us in it," said head coach Dave Bezold. "And offensively, even though we didn't make shots, we didn't have live-ball turnovers."
Chad Jackson got the scoring started for the Norse with a pair of tip-in scores and a mid-range jumper to give NKU a 6-5 lead with 13:54 left in the first half. Both squads took their time getting their offenses going. NKU held WVU to just 2-of-13 from the floor through the first 10 minutes of the opening frame. The Norse opened with 3-of-13 shooting over the same time.
West Virginia added to its total at the free-throw line with Juwan Staten hitting 3-of-3, taking an 8-6 lead. The Norse answered when Daniel Camps launched into the air to electrify the crowd with a two-handed jam tying the game, 8-8. WVU retaliated with an 11-3 run starting at the 6:51 mark to grab a six-point lead.
Anthony Monaco helped the Norse close the gap with a pair of three point buckets in the first half, drawing NKU within three, 20-17. The Norse dug in on defense and slowed down the Mountaineer charge to finish the first half with seven-consecutive stops. NKU outrebounded WVU through the first frame 22-19 and held the Mountaineers to 7-of-23 from the field.
The Mountaineers came out of the intermission firing with a 9-0 run to build a 29-17 lead. Camps brought the NKU faithful to life again with another exciting dunk to end the Mountaineer charge. NKU couldn't answer the second half push from West Virginia. The Mountaineers outrebounded the Norse 27-16 and shot 44 percent (16-of-36) in the final 20 minutes.
"We need to sharpen our self-discipline to perform for 40 minutes," added Bezold. "Because we still have more good teams coming into this building."
The Norse have a week off between games due to finals, but will continue their home stand on Dec. 14, hosting UC-Clermont in The Bank of Kentucky Center at 2 p.m.
