HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Northern Kentucky men's basketball looked to repeat history on Tuesday night, as the Norse hosted cross-river rival Cincinnati at Truist Arena.
The Norse and #18 ranked Bearcats battled in front of a raucous crowd of 7,405 fans.
UC came away with the victory after a physical contest.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky - 60, #18 Cincinnati - 76
LOCATION: Truist Arena (Highland Heights, KY)
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky: 0-4 (0-0 Horizon), #18 Cincinnati: 4-0 (0-0 Big XII)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Sam Vinson played his best game of the season, scoring 16 points and grabbing four rebounds in the loss. Vinson scored eight points in each half.
- NKU out rebounded the Bearcats 36-27, including 15 offensive rebounds.
- Trey Robinson finished with a near double-double, posting 12 points and eight rebounds. Robinson added four assists well.
- Keeyan Itejere finished with eight points and eight boards.
- Three Norse finished with a pair of steals, as Keeyan Itejere, Randall Pettus, and Hubertas Pivorius each had a pair of swipes.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- NKU and Cincinnati battled throughout the first half, as the Norse trailed 32-28 at halftime. NKU shot 54% in the first half overall, with a 2-3 start from beyond the arc. Neither team shot a free throw in the first half.
- NKU cut the deficit to one point at the first media timeout of the second half on a Josh Dilling jumper.
- UC went on a late run that became too much for the Norse to overcome in the loss.
UP NEXT
- Northern Kentucky wraps up a three game homestand with a Saturday matinee vs. Kentucky State. Tip-off from Truist Arena is set for 1:00 PM.
FOLLOW NKU NORSE MEN'S BASKETBALL
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I college team through @NKUNorseMBB on Twitter, @nkunorsembb on Instagram, nkunorsembb on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.