PHOTOS
 
ESTERO, Fla. – Despite a career day from point guard Xavier Rhodes, the Northern Kentucky men's basketball program found itself on the wrong side of a 60-56 decision to UT Arlington on the second day of the Gulf Showcase at Hertz Arena on Tuesday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 56, UT Arlington – 60
LOCATION: Hertz Arena – Estero, Florida (Gulf Coast Showcase)
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky 2-3 (0-0 HL), UT Arlington 3-3 (0-0 WAC)
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Rhodes had a career day in just his fifth contest in a NKU uniform as the transfer point guard dropped in a game-best 18 points to go with seven assists, both season highs for the newcomer. It was the most points and helpers recorded in a contest for Rhodes since he went off for 20 and seven against Tampa back on March 1, 2022 while he was competing at NCAA Division II Florida Southern.
- Marques Warrick finished tied with a game-high of 18 points to go with four rebounds and two steals. It was the fourth consecutive game that Warrick has paced the Norse in scoring.
- Also scoring for NKU was Sam Vinson (eight points, six boards), Trevon Faulkner (seven points, two rebounds), Hubertas Pivorius (four points) and Trey Robinson (one point, three assists and a steal).
- Chris Brandon bounced back with nine rebounds, with five of those coming on the offensive end.
- The game was a back-and-forth affair that featured 13 lead changes and seven times that the score was tied.
- The scoring difference was found off the bench as NKU recorded just five bench points to UT Arlington's 29.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Norse and Mavericks played a completely even opening 20 minutes as both teams hit the locker room tied at 30. Neither team led by more than four points in a battle of a first half.
- NKU went on an 8-0 run over the first 3:55 of the second, but it was quickly answered by a 10-1 run of UT Arlington's own over the next four minutes as the Mavericks led 40-39 with 12:14 left to go.
- NKU was able to respond and retake a 47-41 lead with 7:45 left to play.
- UT Arlington battled right back and was able to tie the game at 55-55 with just 1:49 left to go.
- Northern Kentucky was able to jump back ahead by one, 56-55, with 1:05 left in the contest. - - UT Arlington responded with five straight points and forced a block and two NKU turnovers to close out the non-conference victory.
 
NEXT UP
It will be a quick turnaround for the Norse as NKU will face Toledo in both squad's final game of the 2022 Gulf Coast Showcase on Wednesday, Nov. 23. Tipoff is set for 11:00 AM inside Hertz Arena. Fans can stream the game nationwide on FloHoops and listen anywhere in the country on Fox Sports 1360.
 

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