HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Fans inside Truist Arena were treated to one of the best early season basketball contests of the year as the Northern Kentucky Norse and Akron Zips battled to the buzzer on Saturday night. The two sides took turns delivering blows, but in the end, Akron was able to escape Highland Heights with a 77-76 non-conference victory, with the winning shot coming with just 3.6 seconds left on the clock.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 76, Akron – 77
LOCATION: Truist Arena – Highland Heights, Kentucky
RECORDS: NKU 5-5 (2-0 HL), Akron 6-3 (0-0 MAC)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Marques Warrick continued his stellar stretch of play as he led the Norse with 30 points, a season-best six rebounds, three steals and two assists. The standout senior attacked the basket all evening as his 17 free throw attempts were eight more than Akron attempted as a team.
- With his eight made field goals, Warrick moved into eighth all-time in school history with 621 career baskets. He also tied Ryan Schrand for sixth all-time in program history in made three-pointers (both have 238).
- Trey Robinson had his best game of the young season with 20 points seven boards, an assist, and a steal. He shot 9-of-11 from the field, which included a mark of 2-of-3 from three.
- Sam Vinson chipped in 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and a game-best four steals. With his work on the defensive end, Vinson took over seventh all-time in school history with 167 swipes.
- Cesar Tchilombo scored the first field goal of his NKU career as he posted two points in five strong minutes on both ends of the court.
- Northern Kentucky recorded 42 points in the paint and have now gone for 40-plus points near the basket in five of the last six contests.
- The game featured five lead changes and six times it was tied.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The non-conference clash was tied at 15-15 with 14:15 left in the opening 20 minutes of action. Akron went on a 13-4 run over the next four minutes to make it 28-19 at 10:14, but Northern Kentucky answered right back and ended the half with a 18-13 edge to make it 41-37 game as the two sides headed into the locker room.
- The two programs traded punches as the Norse was able to tie the game at 49-49 (14:09 left in the game), 62-62 (6:29), 64-64 (6:03), 67-67 (4:49) and again at 73-73 (1:29).
- Vinson put the Norse up by one, but the Zips answered back with a field goal to make it 75-74 with 32 seconds on the clock.
- NKU missed its shot to go ahead, but it wouldn't take long for them to get another chance as a Vinson steal with 10 seconds left was followed by a Robinson bucket with four ticks remaining as the Norse jumped ahead 76-75.
-  With their last attempt down the court, Akron scored the winning bucket with 3.6 seconds left to escape with the win.
 
POST GAME PRESSER
 

 
FOLLOW NKU NORSE MEN'S BASKETBALL
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I college basketball team through @NKUNorseMBB on Twitter, @nkunorsembb on Instagram, nkunorsembb on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.