ROCHESTER, Michigan -- The losing streak is over for Northern Kentucky men's basketball, as the Norse opened February 1-0 with a statement win over Oakland on the road.
The victory marked just the second road win of the season for the Norse, who had five players score in double figures in the win. Dan Gherezgher, who started for the first time since NKU battled Nicholls in the home opener, dominated with a game-high 22 points.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky - 84, Oakland 75
LOCATION: OU Credit Union O'rena (Rochester, Michigan)
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky: 10-13 (5-7 Horizon) | Oakland: 10-14 (7-6 Horizon)
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Dan Gherezgher Jr. led NKU in nearly every category, playing a season-high 34 minutes and scoriing 22 points. Gherezgher hit four threes, grabbed four boards and dished out six assists -- all season bests.
- Randall Pettus II scored 14 off the bench, nailing four threes of his own while coming up with three steals.
- LJ Wells scored 10 early points, and played big minutes for NKU after Keeyan Itejere fouled out in the second half. Itejere had a fine game as well with 12 points, four boards and a pair of blocked shots.
- Josh Dilling scored 10 points as well, hitting three triples.
- Both Trey Robinson and Sam Vinson scored eight points, with Robinson grabbing a team-best six boards and Vinson dishing out seven assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- NKU took an early lead to silence the crowd, but Oakland roared back to take a 40-39 lead into the break. All 10 of LJ Wells' points came in his six first half minutes.
- In the second half, NKU came out on fire. Leading 51-49, it was a 15-0 run that pushed the Norse lead out to 17. NKU led by as many as 18 and held on for the win.
UP NEXT
- NKU returns home for homecoming week in Highland Heights. The Norse take on Cleveland State Wednesday and host Robert Morris on Saturday,
