Box Score (PDF)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - In a Saturday matinee at The Bank of Kentucky Center for Northern Kentucky University (9-11, 3-2 A-Sun) against Atlantic Sun opponent Jacksonville (7-15, 1-4 A-Sun), balanced scoring and defensive prowess from the Norse lead to a convincing victory, 81-59.
 
Tayler Persons had 18 points for the Norse to lead all scorers and added four boards. Along with Persons, Chad Jackson went 5-for-6 from the field for 15 points, a team-leading 7 rebounds and four assists. Jalen Billups, with 17 points and five boards, and Tyler White, with 13 points and three assists, rounded out the top scorers for the Norse.
 
The game started out on a strong note with White beating a winding-down shot-clock with a triple on NKU's first possession. Then, Deontae Cole followed with a bucket from beyond the arc.
 
Jacksonville was able to maintain an offensive presence and keep the game tight early. The Norse used back-to-back steals, leading to a layup by Todd Johnson and a pair of free throws from Chad Jackson, to pull ahead, 31-22, with 3:48 left in the first half.
 
NKU lead at the break, 43-32, after Persons made a layup with time winding down.
 
Everything seemed to go right for the Norse, especially in terms of controlling possession in the first half. NKU used the shot clock to its advantage, creating better opportunities to go 16-for-26 (61.5 percent) from the field, a high for the season against Division I opponents. From three, NKU was 5-for-9 (55.6 percent) shooting including Cole who was 3-for-4 in the opening stanza, leading the team at the half with nine points.
 
Both teams struggled from the field to open the second half, keeping NKU's lead sound through the first ten minutes. A scintillating tip-dunk by Billups and a powerful move inside on the following possession were the springboard for NKU to secure the lead at 61-46 with 7:44 to go.
 
Then late in the second act, Persons came alive, scoring ten-straight points for the Norse extending the lead to 25 with 2:25 left.
 
The Norse then cruised to an 81-59 victory.
 
Jacksonville had strong performances Josh Adeyeye with 16 points and five rebounds, and J.R. Holder with 15 points and six rebounds.
 
Northern Kentucky will head on a road trip to Florida to battle Stetson on Jan. 29, before taking on Florida Gulf Coast on the 31^st.