PHOTOS

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's basketball program dropped its season opener to MAC favorite Kent State by a 79-57 margin in a non-conference battle in Truist Arena on Monday night.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 57, Kent State – 79
LOCATION: Truist Arena – Highland Heights, Kentucky
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky 0-1 (0-0 HL), Kent State 1-0 (0-0 MAC)
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Chris Brandon had a career night on the boards as he pulled down 17 rebounds in total, the most during his NKU career. It was the most rebounds recorded by a Norse student-athlete since Brandon racked up 16 against Milwaukee back on Jan. 1, 2022. He also added a game-high three blocks to go with six points.
- Two Norse hit double-figures in Trevon Faulkner and Sam Vinson with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
- Marques Warrick and Faulkner tied with a game-best three steals. Warrick also led NKU in assists with four helpers.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Kent State started out the game hot and jumped out to a 12-1 lead over the first 5:41 of the contest.
- NKU battled right back and went on a 24-13 run over the next 10:49 to trail by just two at 27-25 with 3:30 left in the first.
- The two sides continued to battle down the stretch as the Golden Flashes took a 35-29 lead into the half.
- Northern Kentucky cooled off while Kent State couldn't miss as the Golden Flashes jumped out to a 26-point lead, 63-37, over the first 11:53 of the second half.
- NKU went on to score 20 points over the final eight minutes, but the Kent State lead was too much to overcome as the visiting squad closed out the victory.
 
COACH HORN PRESSER

 
NEXT UP
The Norse return home for a Saturday showdown against UC Clermont this Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 PM ET inside Truist Arena. Fans can purchase their tickets for the non-conference clash here, and the game will also be streamed in front of a national audience on ESPN+. Norse Nation can also catch the game live on Fox Sports 1360.
 

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