OXFORD, Ohio- The Northern Kentucky University men's basketball team caged the Delaware Blue Hens 74-53 at the Tarkett Sports Classic hosted by Miami (Ohio) on Saturday. Drew McDonald recorded his second-consecutive double-double hauling in 28 points and 13 rebounds.
 
Stat Leaders

• McDonald led the team in points with 28 and in rebounds with 13 in his second double-double of the season.
• Lavone Holland II and Jalen Tate each dished out four assists to lead the Norse.
• Holland captured three steals to lead NKU.

 
Turning Point

• The Norse opened the second half on an 8-0 run spurred by Carson Williams, Holland and McDonald. NKU regained the lead 29-21 in the first four minutes of the second frame and would hold the lead for the rest of the game. Delaware pulled within three at 41-38 with 10:39 to play but the Norse were able to hold off the rally to keep the advantage.

 
First Half Summary

• The first half was a back-and-forth battle. The Norse held the lead for most of the first half until the Blue Hens took the lead at 21-20 with 1:53 left to play in the opening stanza. NKU held the one-point advantage going into the break.
• McDonald paced NKU in first-half scoring with eight points.
• Jeff Garrett hauled in nine rebounds finishing with a total of 11 for the game.
• NKU out-rebounded Delaware 27-18 in the opening stanza.

Second Half Summary

• The Norse opened the second frame on a 8-0 run, getting points from Williams, Holland and McDonald. NKU did not relinquish the lead holding the advantage through the entire second half.
• Delaware pulled to within three with 10:28 to play in the half but the Norse were once again able to jump-start the offense on back-to-back threes form Cole Murray and Holland.

 
Norse Notes

• McDonald's 28 points and 13 rebounds are both new season highs for the sophomore. He has posted a new season high in two-straight games.
• The Norse had three players score in double-digits including McDonald (28), Williams (12) and Holland (12).
• NKU's 54 second half points is a new season high, eclipsing the previous mark of 48 scored in the second half against Earlham on Nov. 11.

 
Up Next

• The Norse will play their final game of the Tarkett Sports Classic taking on host Miami (Ohio) Sunday at 2:32 pm (ET). The game can be seen live on ESPN3.