HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – After establishing a new Division I high-water mark for wins on Friday night, the Northern Kentucky University men's basketball team flips to the second-half of the Horizon League calendar with a tilt against first-place Valparaiso on Jan. 29. Sunday's matinee is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. (ET)/1:30 p.m. (CT) start.
 
Game Information
Northern Kentucky University Norse (14-8 Overall, 5-4 Horizon League)
Valparaiso University Crusaders (17-4 Overall, 7-1 Horizon League)
Sunday, Jan. 29 - 2:30 p.m. (ET)/1:30 p.m. (CT)
Athletics-Recreation Center (5,000) in Valparaiso, Ind.
TV: ESPN3 with Todd Ickow (play-by-play) and Dave Huseman (analysis)
Radio: FOXSports1360 (1360 AM) with Andrew Kappes (play-by-play) and Steve Moeller (analysis)
 
Fast Break Points
• NKU used runs of 10-0 and 18-2 to erase an early 11-point first-half deficit to take a nine-point lead into halftime before creating separation during the final 20 minutes in a 79-62 win at UIC.
• The win improved NKU to 14-8 on the season, setting a new Division I-era record for wins and topping the 13 recorded in the 2014-15 season as a member of the Atlantic Sun.
• NKU plays at Valparaiso Sunday afternoon with Valpo leading the all-time series 2-0 after sweeping both contests last year.
• The 70-point plateau is key for NKU this year. Northern Kentucky is 14-3 when scoring at least 70 points and 10-1 when holding opponents to 70 or fewer points. Both trends held true in Friday's win at UIC.
• NKU won the rebounding battle for the 18th time in 22 games. The Norse have secured 872 rebounds, 13th most in the country, and are averaging 39.64 rebounds per game, 25th best nationally.
• G Mason Faulkner paced NKU with 19 points against UIC. He has now scored double-figures five times on the year and the Norse are 4-1 in the games (lone loss is at Oakland). He is averaging 7.9 ppg on the season. In League only games, his scoring average elevates to 14.1 ppg.
• F Drew McDonald leads NKU in scoring (16.5 ppg) and rebounds (7.9 rpg). In Horizon League play, his averages swell to 17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, which rank fifth and fourth in the League, respectively.
• McDonald's nine double-doubles are the most by a Norse in a season in at least the last 11 years.
• F Carson Williams, a two-time Horizon League Freshman of the Week honoree, registered his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds against Detroit Mercy. He is third on the team in scoring at 11.0 ppg and second in rebounding (6.2 rpg).
• G Lavone Holland II is second in scoring at 14.4 ppg, but leads the team in assists with 3.9 apg.
• F Cole Murray ranks among the nation's top 3-point shooters, checking in at No. 27 with 67 made threes this year. He is also 36th in 3-point field-goal percentage (41.6).
•  G Dantez Walton provided a huge lift for the Norse off the bench Friday. He scored 10 first-half points, including eight in the NKU's 18-2 run.
 
Scouting Valpo
The preseason favorite to win the Horizon League sits atop the standings at the approximate midway point (not all teams have played nine games yet). The Crusaders are 17-4 and 7-1 in league play and are coming off of a 15-point home win over Wright State Friday night. Preseason Player of the Year Alec Peters has lived up to the billing, as the senior forward is averaging 24.2 points and 11 rebounds per game, ranking second and seventh in the nation, respectively. Shane Hammink is second on the team in scoring, posting 15.3 ppg. Hammink also boasts a team-best 58 assists. The Crusaders score at a 77.1 ppg clip and hold opponents to 69.6 points on 40.9 percent shooting.
 
Sunday's meeting pits two of the top rebounding teams in the country against one another, as NKU enters with a plus-6.9 rebounding margin (21st nationally) and Valpo is plus-6.6 rpg (26th nationally).
 
All-Time Series
Valpo won both meetings in NKU's inaugural Horizon League season last year and holds the 2-0 advantage in the all-time series. Lavone Holland II averaged 11.0 points per game against the Crusaders last year.
 
Last Time Out
UIC jumped out to a quick 16-5 lead just 5:10 into the game, but NKU used two decisive runs to open a nine-point halftime advantage. Mason Faulkner sparked a 10-0 run to get the Norse back into the game, and Dantez Walton contributed eight points in an 18-2 spurt that helped NKU take the lead for good. NKU's three-point defense was stingy as usual, holding UIC to just 27 percent (7-of-26) from beyond the arc, as the Flames shot only 36 percent (22-of-61) for the game. Faulkner finished with a game-high-tying 19 points to lead five Norse in double figures. Lavone Holland II added 16 points and Cole Murray contributed 12, all from three-point range. Walton and Drew McDonald chipped in 10 each. Northern Kentucky forced UIC into 23 turnovers, the most NKU has instigated this year. Led by Jordan Garnett's seven boards, five Norse had at least five rebounds in the game, to help NKU win the rebound battle, 45-42.
 
The victory provided the Norse with their 14th of the season, establishing NKU's best Division I win total since reclassifying in 2012-13.