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FINDLAY, Ohio - For most of Tuesday night, it looked like Northern Kentucky University was destined to snap the nation's longest home winning streak at 44 games. But in the final 10 minutes of the game, Findlay showed everyone why it's so tough for a visitor to leave Croy Gymnasium with a victory. Findlay rallied from a 13-point deficit and converted 18 of 25 free throws in the second half to down NKU, 59-53. The Oilers, ranked No. 9 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, improved to 9-1 overall and extended their home winning streak to 45 games. NKU dropped to 5-3 overall. The Norse rallied from a double-figure deficit last season to defeat Findlay in Regents Hall, and the Oilers returned the favor Tuesday night. NKU shot 66.7 percent from the field in the first half and took a 35-24 lead into the locker room. The Norse still owned a 10-point lead with less than 11 minutes remaining in the game, but NKU went more than 10 minutes without scoring a field goal and Findlay took full advantage of the offensive drought. The Oilers made 12 free throws in the final 4:31 to pull out the win. Findlay's last field goal, in fact, came on a Marcus Parker layup with 5:31 left. Frank Phillips scored 14 points to lead Findlay, which has not lost at home to a non-conference team since Dec. 28, 1997. Kevin Schappell led NKU with 16 points, and Steven Wright added 14 points before fouling out in the final minute. NKU will play host to UC-Clermont at 7 p.m. Saturday. |
