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CHICAGO – Northern Kentucky University's men's basketball team rallied from a five-point overtime deficit to beat UIC 74-70 and snap the Flames' three-game winning streak, Thursday at Credit Union 1 Arena.  
 
NKU (7-9, 3-4 Horizon League) trailed by as many as eight points in a nail-biter featuring nine ties and 14 lead changes. The Norse held UIC (7-9, 3-4) scoreless for the last 3:05 of overtime.
 
STATS LEADERS

• Sam Vinson scored a career-high 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting (50%) with six rebounds, two assists and a steal.
• Marques Warrick chipped in 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal.
• Adrian Nelson contributed 11 points on 5-for-10 shooting (50%) with eight rebounds.

TURNING POINT

• After its potentially game-winning, buzzer-beating basket was waved off in regulation, NKU fell behind by five points in overtime. Sam Vinson and Marques Warrick combined for nine straight points and the Norse prevailed in their comeback bid. 

FIRST HALF SUMMARY

• UIC hit back-to-back 3-pointers within a 10-0 run that forced the Norse to play from behind. NKU had four turnovers in the first six minutes.
• NKU amassed a 10-0 run of its own, capped by a Trey Robinson jam, for a 14-10 edge.
• Adrian Nelson ended an ensuing NKU scoring drought with a layup at the 3:52 mark. UIC's Kevin Johnson, the reigning Horizon Player of the Week, answered with a 3-pointer to extend the home team's 12-2 run. UIC held a 31-25 halftime advantage, bolstered by 50% 3-point shooting (6-of-12).
• Sam Vinson paced NKU with eight points on 3-of-6 shooting with a 2-for-3 mark from the perimeter. He scored the Norse's final five points of the half.

SECOND HALF SUMMARY

• Sam Vinson picked up where he left off, starting the second half with a layup. Marques Warrick followed suit in attack mode to make it a one-possession game.
• NKU missed 10 of 11 field goal attempts in one stretch before Marques Warrick's jump shot made it a one-possession game with 8:22 left.
• Sam Vinson tied his career high (18 points) with a jumper in the paint, giving NKU a 57-55 lead with 5:27 left. Damaria Franklin's layup launched an 8-0 Flames run.
• Marques Warrick tied the game at 65 via a 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining. Trey Robinson's final dunk at the buzzer would have given the Norse the win but was waved off due to expired time.

OVERTIME SUMMARY

• Filip Skobalj scored the first five points of overtime to give UIC a 70-65 lead. The Flames never scored again.
• Sam Vinson made a driving layup (and lost his shoe briefly) before converting an ensuing and-one. His three-point play inched NKU with one point (70-69) with 1:59 remaining.
• Sam Vinson's layup with 43 seconds left ensured the Norse's 71-70 lead. Marques Warrick sank three free throws in the last 27 seconds and NKU finished on a 9-0 run.

GAME NOTES

• NKU out-rebounded UIC 45-36 and scored 11 second-chance points. Although UIC had the edge in points off turnovers, NKU dominated the paint (42 points to 22).
• This was NKU's third OT outing this season but first OT win. The Norse led for just 6:54.
• The Norse's defense was just as integral as its offense down the stretch. The Flames shot 20% (2-for-10) in overtime and missed seven of their eight 3-point attempts.
• Trevon Faulkner appeared to hurt his ankle in the first half and did not return to action.

UP NEXT
NKU concludes a four-game road swing at IUPUI at noon Saturday. The Norse then return to BB&T Arena for a five-game home stand.