Box Score (PDF)HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.- Junior guard Todd Johnson's career-high 24 points provided Northern Kentucky University (13-16, A-Sun 7-7) the boost it needed for a 84-65 win over USC Upstate (21-10, 8-6) to clinch a home game in the Atlantic Sun Championship.
Behind Johnson's career performance, Tyler White added 19 points and three assists. The guard duo of Johnson and White hit 11-of-19 from three-point territory, with Johnson hitting 8-of-10 on his own. Those eight threes were a career-best, eclipsing the previous eight times where he hit four trifectas in a game.
Trailing 10-4 early in the first frame, the Norse went on an 11-0 run to take the lead, 15-10, a lead they would not relinquish through the first half. However, the Spartans twice tied the game in the first 20 minutes. With the game knotted at 32-all and under 10 seconds left to play in the first, Johnson drained a buzzer-beating-trey to give the Norse the lead 35-32 heading into the break.
The Norse sharp shooting from three was the story of the night, especially in the first half. NKU shot 7-of-12, while Johnson hit 6-of-7 to lead the way. The Norse shared the ball well in the opening stanza, tallying seven assists on 14 made shots
The Norse pulled away after the seven-minute mark of the second half, going on a 17-5 run and capping it off with a highlight reel alley-oop from Taylor Persons to Jalen Billups to push the Norse ahead 72-61.
Billups and Persons each had key performances. Persons racked up 14 points with four assists, two of which were transported to Billups, who added 11 points on 5-6 shooting from the floor, and collected 10 rebounds. Billups double-double provided NKU with its fourth in the last five games, as Persons posted consecutive double-doubles and Chad Jackson added one in Northern Kentucky's last outing at Kennesaw State.
Before the Norse and Spartanstipped-off in the Atlantic Sun battle, two seniors were honored for their contributions at NKU. Chad Jackson finished with six points, six rebounds and two assists.
Jordan Jackson ended his senior night with an exclamation point. With 1:20 left to play, Jordan Jackson swiped a steal from the left wing to break away and put down a two-handed jam. The slam put the Norse up 83-65 and wiped away any thoughts of a USC Upstate comeback. Jordan Jackson finished with six points.
NKU will now play at home in the opening round of the Atlantic Sun Championship against Lipscomb on March 3rd at 7 P.M at Regents Hall. For more information on the NKU men's basketball program and all Norse athletics please visit NKUNorse.com.
