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INDIANAPOLIS - Dave Bezold could give you at least 20 reasons - like in a 20-win season - he was happy after watching his Northern Kentucky University Norse hold off Indianapolis, 68-60, Saturday night in Nicoson Hall. "It's a great feeling to reach 20 wins, and our guys did a great job tonight to get us a big lead early," said Bezold, in his third year as NKU's head coach. "It's a big win for us going into the (Great Lakes Valley Conference) Tournament." Kevin Schappell
and Steven Wright combined for 29 points to lead the Norse. Schappell
scored 15 points and Wright added 14 as NKU improved That team featured All-American Brenden Stowers and All-GLVC standout Quentin Smith, not to mention standouts like Mike Kelsey, Chris Seabrooks, Bobby St-Preux and Jesse Rupe. They also captured the GLVC Tournament championship that season. Bezold hopes his current team can pull off the same result next week at Evansville, Ind. NKU jumped all over Indianapolis (13-13, 9-10 GLVC) early in the contest and held a 25-9 lead after Vincent Humphrey drained a 3-pointer with 4:35 left before halftime. The Norse settled for a 28-18 advantage at the break after holding Indianapolis to 26.7 percent shooting from the field. "I wish we were up by a few more points at halftime, but we missed a rebound and made a turnover, and Indianapolis took advantage of it," Bezold said. Schappell netted 13 of his points in the second half as NKU held off a late rally for the victory. Wright pulled down a team-leading nine rebounds for the Norse, while Billy Finnell dished out seven assists. Finnell and James Cripe each scored eight points, with Cripe adding eight rebounds and four blocked shots. Humphrey added 12 points and eight rebounds for NKU, which will face Rockhurst at noon (Central time) Thursday in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament at Evansville, Ind. The Norse won the GLVC East Division and are the No. 1 seed from the East, while Rockhurst (17-10) qualified as the No. 4 seed from the West Division. The NKU/Rockhurst winner meets the Drury/Wisconsin-Parkside survivor in the GLVC Tournament semifinals at noon Saturday. |
