HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – A late Northern Kentucky comeback fell just short as Detroit came away with a 74-68 win on NKU's Senior Night. Todd Johnson led NKU in scoring with 14 points, shooting 50 percent from three-point range.
 
Drew McDonald finished with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Tyler White tallied 13 points, while Cole Murray finished with 11 points, nine of which came in a 9-2 run late in the first half.
 
After falling behind by 11 early in the second half, NKU used an 11-3 run to cut the deficit to three, 48-45. The run was keyed by three-point baskets from Deontae Cole, Dean Danos and McDonald. But, six-consecutive Titan points pushed the margin back towards double-figures.
 
However, the Norse kept battling.
 
Trailing by nine, NKU used a 9-2 spurt to pull within a pair, 65-63. White tallied five points in the run, capping it with triple with 1:55 left in the contest.
 
Detroit sealed the game from the charity stripe, converting 7-of-8 down the stretch.
 
NKU falls to 9-17 overall and 5-10 in Horizon League action, while Detroit improves to 14-12 and 8-7 in conference.
 
The Norse struggled from the floor to open the game, but Johnson and Murray helped right the ship. At one point, Johnson converted back-to-back threes and at another stretch Murray knocked down three-straight treys. However, Detroit took a 38-32 lead into intermission.
 
In a pregame ceremony, Northern Kentucky honored its six seniors for their contributions to the men's basketball program. Jalen Billups, Jared Bryan, Jack Flournoy, Jake Giesler, Todd Johnson and Tyler White each took the court and received framed jerseys in appreciation for their dedication.
 
Paris Bass led the Titans with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
 
NKU heads an hour north for a meeting with Horizon League-rival Wright State on Saturday. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. in Dayton, Ohio.
 
Norse Notes

• McDonald's double-double was his fourth of the season, all coming in Horizon League action. It was also his second against Detroit after posting 17 points and 10 boards in NKU's 91-83 win in the Motor City.
• Seniors White and Johnson finished with a combined 27 points. Together, they went 4-for-9 from behind the arc.