PHOTOS
 
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky men's basketball program took another game right down to the buzzer, but this time the Norse found themselves on the wrong side of a 75-74 decision to Horizon League foe Milwaukee inside Truist Arena on Saturday afternoon.
 
Even with the slight setback on Homecoming, Northern Kentucky remains atop the conference standings, tied with the Panthers in first place at 9-3 in Horizon play.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 74, Milwaukee – 75
LOCATION: Truist Arena – Highland Heights, Ky.
RECORDS: NKU 14-9 (9-3 HL), MIL 15-7 (9-3 HL)
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Chris Brandon went off for his fifth double-double of the season as he dropped in 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds on the evening. It tied Brandon's career-high for most points scored during his NKU career. The rebounding performance also tied for 25th in all of NCAA DI basketball for most rebounds grabbed by a student-athlete in a game so far this season. It was the third time already this year that Brandon has pulled down 16 or more boards in a contest.
- Trey Robinson also had a personal best night as he finished with a career-best 18 points and tied a career-high with four steals. He also chipped in four boards, two assists and block in his best game so far this season.
- Sam Vinson was all over the court once again with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
- Marques Warrick added 11 points along with five assists, three rebounds, a block and a steal. With his four made field goals, the Lexington, Ky. native moved into 14th all-time in school history with 485 career makes. His one made three also gave him 182 career three-pointers, tying him for 11th all-time with NKU great Drew McDonald.
- Trevon Faulkner contributed in a big way over his 23 minutes of action as he posted 10 points and four boards. With his scoring output, Faulkner now has 1,537 career points at NKU which moves him into ninth all-time in the category in school history.
- It was the first time this season that NKU had five student-athletes finish with double-digit points.
- The Norse snapped a four-game winning streak overall and a four-game winning streak at home in the setback.
- It was just the second time this season that the Norse fell to an opponent after leading at the half.
- Northern Kentucky will end the regular-season with seven of its last eight contests coming on the road. The final home game inside Truist Arena is set for Sunday, Feb. 12 against IUPUI.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Northern Kentucky played one of its best halves of basketball this season as the Norse raced out to a 47-27 lead after 20 minutes of play. NKU shot 51.51 percent from the field (17-of-33) and knocked down six three's, all while holding Milwaukee to a 30.43 percent shooting clip.
- The script flipped in the second half as the Panthers roared back. Down 58-38 with 15:46 left to play, Milwaukee went on a 28-4 run to take a 64-62 advantage with 7:14 left.
- The two sides continued to battle down the stretch and NKU found itself down by five with 26 seconds to go. The Norse answered right back with two layups, one coming off an inbound steal with 10 seconds left, to make it a 75-74 Milwaukee lead.
- Another NKU steal gave the Norse one final look at the basket as time expired, but their final two shots fell short as the Panthers escaped with the victory.
 
POST GAME PRESSER – DARRIN HORN
 
 
NEXT UP
Northern Kentucky heads to Robert Morris for another Horizon League clash on Thursday, Feb. 2. Tip is set for 7 PM ET and the game will be streamed nationwide on ESPN+.
 

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