HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University men's basketball team defeated Green Bay on Saturday evening by a final score of 86-80 for its fifth-straight win. The Norse move to 19-7 overall and 12-2 in the Horizon League. Green Bay falls to 10-18 on the season and 5-10 in league play. Combined with Wright State's loss to Milwaukee, the Norse are now in sole possession of first place in the Horizon League.
 
 
STATS LEADERS

• Tyler Sharpe was the leading scorer for NKU with a career-high-tying 19 points. He went 6-of-10 from the floor and 5-of-9 on three-point attempts.
• Lavone Holland II added 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
• Drew McDonald recorded his 13^th double-double of the season with 12 points and 15 rebounds.
• Jordan Garnett finished with 10 points, six assists, and four rebounds.

 
TURNING POINT
 

• NKU led 72-71 with 5:16 to play in the game. A three-pointer by Sharpe and a layup by Lavone Holland II gave NKU a 77-71 lead. The Norse held the Phoenix at bay by at least three points the rest of the way.

 
FIRST-HALF SUMMARY

• NKU used a 10-0 run early in the game to jump out to a 12-2 lead.
• Green Bay pulled within four points at 16-12 with 13:59 to play in the game.
• However, the Norse extended their lead to as much as 15 and took a 47-37 advantage into halftime.
• NKU went 20-of-35 (57.1%) from the floor and 6-of-13 (46.2%) on three-point attempts during the half.
• The Norse held Green Bay to 12-of-36 (33.3%) shooting on field goals and 5-of-14 (35.7%) from behind the arc.
• NKU had nine different players score in the half. Garnett, Holland and Sharpe each had eight points for the Norse.
• NKU had 11 assists on 20 made field goals.
• The Norse also had a 26-8 advantage in points in the paint and a 20-8 advantage in bench points.

SECOND-HALF SUMMARY

• The second half featured four ties and six lead changes.
• Green Bay took its first lead of the game at 63-62 with 11:00 to play.
• NKU led 72-71 with 5:16 to play in the game, that's when the Norse scored five-straight points to build a six-point advantage.
• Sharpe hit three 3-pointers over a stretch of 3:03 late in the second half to prevent Green Bay from coming back into the game.
• The Norse were 9-of-25 (36.0%) on field goals in the half and 3-of-12 (25.0%) on three-point attempts. The free throw line proved to be key for NKU, as the Norse converted 18-of-19 free throws in the half.
• Green Bay went 13-of-34 (38.2%) from the floor and 8-of-15 from behind the arc.

 
GAME NOTES

• Tonight's final attendance of 6,455 was the second most in the Division I era.
• McDonald's double-double was his 11^th in the last 16 games. He has 13 on the year.
• Sharpe matched his career-high 19 points that he posted against Milwaukee when the Norse defeated the Panthers on the road.
• The Norse finished the game 19-of-20 (95.0%) from the free throw line.
• NKU shot 29-of-60 (48.3%) from the floor during the game and 9-of-25 (36.0%) on three-point attempts.
• Green Bay finished 25-of-70 (35.7%) on field goals and 13-of-29 (44.8%) on attempts from behind the arc.
• The Norse had 17 assists on 29 made field goals.
• NKU had a 38-18 points in the paint advantage.
• The Norse bench also outscored Green Bay's bench 33-18.

 
NEXT UP

• NKU travels to Wright State, which sits one game behind the Norse in the Horizon League standings, for a showdown on Friday, Feb. 16. Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPNU. The Norse are trying to avenge an early conference loss to the Raiders, who beat NKU 84-81 at BB&T Arena earlier this season.