HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Norse Men's Basketball opened the season on Monday night against UC Clermont with a statement, scoring 126 points in a blowout win over the Cougars. The Norse shot a blistering 61.8% from the field, scoring 63 points in each half. 

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky - 126, UC Clermont - 69
LOCATION: Truist Arena (Highland Heights, KY)
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky: 1-0 | UC Clermont: 0-0 (exhibition)

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

• Kael Robinson led all scorers with 22 points, going 9-10 from the field and 4-5 from three. 
• Dan Gherezgher scored 18 points, grabbing six rebounds as he went 7-10 from the floor. 
• LJ Wells had a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
• Donovan Oday scored 15 points, grabbed six boards, and also recorded five steals. 
• Tae Dozier scored 15 points, going 7-10 from the floor with four rebounds and four assists. 
• Shawn Nelson scored 13 off the bench, also recording four steals. 
• Ethan Elliott nearly went for a double-double as he finished with nine assists and eight points. 
• Addison Archer, Donovan Rakotonanahary, Ryan Tolliver, Mitchel Minor, and Bryce Darbyshire all scored their first points in a Norse uniform in the game. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Norse came out firing, scoring 63 first-half points to the Cougars' 28. NKU opened the game on a 13-2 run, with Kael Robinson scoring eight of NKU's first 13. The Norse continued to dominate offensively, eventually taking a 60-15 lead late in the first half. 
• Northern Kentucky kept its foot on the gas entering the second half, as NKU's lead jumped up to 50 seven minutes into the period. The Norse crossed the century mark 10 minutes in, thanks to an offensive ensemble performance that saw them score 126 points, tying a program record. 
• NKU scored 68 points in the paint, 49 off the bench, 32 on fast breaks, 31 off turnovers, and 28 on second chances.

UP NEXT
NKU heads down to Knoxville on Saturday, taking on Tennessee in a 3 PM matchup on SECN+. 

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.