HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Northern Kentucky men's basketball returned to action to close out its three game homestand on Saturday, as the Norse hosted Kentucky State.
NKU picked up its first victory of the season over the Thorobreds behind big games from multiple Norse.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky - 85, Kentucky State - 59
LOCATION: Truist Arena
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky: 1-4 (0-0 Horizon), Kentucky State: 3-1 (1-0 SIAC)
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Sam Vinson stayed hot, scoring a season-high 17 points while adding four rebounds, four steals, and three assists in the win.
- LJ Wells flirted with a triple-double in the win, finishing the game with 12 points, eight boards, and six assists. Wells recorded three steals as well.
- Randall Pettus II was everywhere for NKU, tying Vinson with a team-high 17 points. Pettus II had six steals — a career high, adding six assists and five rebounds.
- Paulis Rapolis had the best game of his young career, with six points and six rebounds and four blocked shots.
- NKU won the rebounding battle 43-40, and recorded 20 steals as a team.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Josh Dilling started things off with a three, sparking a 21-2 NKU run to open the game.
- NKU led by as many as 23 points in the first half, and took a 50-30 lead into halftime.
- The Norse extended the lead out to 33 in the second half, and came away with a 26-point win.
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.
