HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.- After a back-and-forth game, Morehead State pulled away in the final minutes to defeat Northern Kentucky, 64-56, on Saturday night at BB&T Arena. The Norse fall to 1-2 on the year, while the Eagles improve to 2-1. Lavone Holland scored 11 points and added seven rebounds and six assists.
 
"This is all about the process," said John Brannen, NKU head coach. "I am learning our guys and what position to put them in for us to be the most successful. It's not about the wins and losses and I tell our guys this even after a win. We just need to keep getting better and we are, but it's a process."
 
After a fast paced game in the first half, NKU trailed MSU by two points at the half, 34-32. Jalen Billups led the team in scoring with seven points, all coming on a 9-2 run by the Norse to open the game. Deontae Cole made two huge three's in the stanza. Corban Collins of Morehead led all scorers with 13 points in the first half.
 
The back-and-forth pace continued to start the second half with neither team getting more than a four point lead until Morehead began to extended its advantage with about two minutes left to play.
 
Billups and Cole both reached nine points on the night. Jake Giesler grabbed nine boards to lead the Norse in rebounding.
 
Morehead was led by Collins who finished with a game-high with 22 points. Xavier Moon scored 11 while Miguel Dicent and Anthony Elechi scored nine points each for the Eagles.
 
NKU's next game will be at Xavier on Monday, November 21. The Norse will then play two more road games against North Carolina A&T and Eastern Illinois before returning home to play Norfolk St. on Sunday, December 13.
 
Norse Notes

• Jalen Billups scored seven points in the first half and shot a perfect 100 percent (3-for-3) in the first half.
• Jake Giesler hauled in nine boards in 13 minutes of action off the bench.
• Every Norse that played in tonight's game recorded at least one point.