HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –  The Northern Kentucky men's basketball team defeated Youngstown State 70-51 on Monday evening. The Norse improve to 20-8 overall and 13-3 in the Horizon League. Youngstown State falls to 8-22 and 6-11 in league play. Before the game, NKU seniors Lavone Holland II, Jordan Garnett, and Nick Ayers were recognized for their contributions to the program.

STAT LEADERS

• Drew McDonald led all players with 27 points and 12 rebounds. It was his fourth-straight double-double, 15^th of the season and 13^th in the last 18 games.
• Jordan Garnett had 10 points, six rebounds and three assists.
• Carson Williams added 10 points, three rebounds and two assists.
• Lavone Holland II contributed seven points, six rebounds and four assists.

TURNING POINT

• McDonald had an emphatic three-point play with 4:49 left on the clock, which came in the midst of NKU's 18-5 run over the final 7:03. The layup and free throw put the Norse up by double-figures.

 
FIRST HALF SUMMARY

• The Norse used a 9-0 run to take a 19-15 lead with 9:23 left in the first half. NKU took a 33-26 lead into the half.
• NKU shot 11-of-29 (37.9%) from the floor and 5-of-14 (35.7%) on three-point attempts.
• Youngstown State shot 11-of-31 (35.5%) on field goals and 4-of-16 (25%) from behind the arc.
• Drew McDonald had 16 points in the first half for NKU.
• NKU had seven assists on 11 made field goals in the half.
• The first half featured five lead changes and two ties.

SECOND HALF SUMMARY

• Youngstown State stayed within six to eight points for the first part of the second half.
• With the Norse leading 52-46, NKU outscored the Penguins 18-5 to get the 70-51 victory.
• The Norse shot 12-of-23 (52.2%) from the floor and 2-of-8 (25%) on three-point attempts.
• Youngstown State shot 9-of-29 (31%) on field goals and 1-of-11 (9.1%) from behind the arc.
• NKU had an 8-0 advantage in fast break points in the second half.

NORSE NOTES

• The Norse shot 23-of-52 (44.2%) on field goal attempts and went 7-of-22 (31.8%) from beyond the arc.
• Youngstown State converted 20-of-60 (33.3%) from the floor and shot 5-of-27 (18.5%) on three-point attempts. This marks the seventh time this season in which NKU has held a team below 20 percent shooting from three.
• NKU had a 41-33 rebound advantage in the game.
• The Norse had 16 assists on 23 field goals.
• NKU finished with a 10-2 advantage in fast break points.
• In two games against Youngstown State this season, McDonald averaged 26.5 points and 14 rebounds.
• With its 20^th win tonight, Northern Kentucky has now posted back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time in the Division I era.

UP NEXT

• NKU plays at UIC on Friday, Feb. 23. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.