---Scott Bibbins led NKU to a pair of wins last week by averaging 16.5 points per game. The sophomore guard netted 17 points against North Alabama.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University resumes Great Lakes Valley Conference play this week with a pair of home games, beginning with a Thursday night contest against Rockhurst at 7:45 p.m.

The Norse also play host to powerful Drury on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. The Panthers are ranked No. 6 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll.

NKU is 8-1 overall and has won seven consecutive games. The Norse are 2-0 in GLVC play.

LITTLE BIG MAN: The smallest man on the court made several of the biggest shots during NKU’s 76-73 win over North Alabama on Saturday. Sophomore point guard Scott Bibbins scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half to spark NKU.

The 5-foot-9 Bibbins hit three consecutive shots in the second half, including a 3-pointer from the top of the key, to keep the Norse within striking distance. Bibbins averages 10.6 points per game and is 22-for-23 (.957) at the free-throw line.

THE OLD FIVE-POINT PLAY TRICK, HUH?: North Alabama owned a 52-45 lead with 7:47 remaining in the game, but NKU responded with a 9-1 run to take a 54-53 advantage on an unusual five-point play with 6:19 left on the clock. As Vincent Humphrey buried a 3-pointer from the left wing, Thomas Fraise fouled NKU’s Dennis Gagai away from the ball. Gagai converted both free throws to cap the five-point possession for NKU.

PERFECT DECEMBER: NKU posted a 5-0 record in the month of December.

STILL NO. 1: NKU junior guard David McFarland continues to lead the GLVC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 6.33. McFarland has 38 assists and just six turnovers this season. Teammate Scott Bibbins is still second in the GLVC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.22, while NKU’s Billy Finnell is third at 2.53.

SPEAKING OF THAT…: NKU committed just four turnovers against North Alabama on Saturday.

INSIDE ACCURACY: NKU senior center Travis Rasso leads the GLVC in field-goal percentage at .723. The former Boone County High School standout averages 8.2 ppg.

FROM DOWNTOWN: NKU continues to lead the GLVC in 3-pointers made per game at 9.89.

DEFENSE RULES: NKU is No. 1 in the GLVC in field-goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to just 40 percent from the floor.

---Travis Rasso attempts a shot against UMass Lowell last week. Rasso leads the GLVC in shooting from the field at 72.3 percent.

MORTON TIME: NKU senior forward Harrison Morton leads NKU in scoring at 14.6 ppg. The Lexington Catholic High School graduate is averaging 19.0 ppg in the Norse’s two GLVC contests, and he made the winning shot at Quincy in the final seconds on Nov. 29.

ABOUT ROCKHURST: The Hawks are 4-3 overall, 1-1 in the GLVC. Rockhurst is led by guard Joey Deas, who averages 18.4 ppg. Center John Torson averages 15.4 ppg and has blocked a GLVC-leading 23 shots this season.

THE LAST TIME AGAINST ROCKHURST: On March 1, 2007, in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament, Steven Wright scored 19 points as NKU posted a 71-61 win over Rockhurst at Evansville, Ind. Kevin Schappell added 17 points for NKU, while teammate Billy Finnell scored 12.

In their regular-season meeting on Feb. 3 at Kansas City, Mo., Vincent Humphrey hit six 3-pointers as NKU rolled to an 87-63 win over Rockhurst. Humphrey finished with 18 points - all on 3-point field goals - to lead the Norse.

ABOUT DRURY: The Panthers, ranked No. 6 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, are 9-1 overall, 2-0 in the GLVC. Drury visits Bellarmine on Thursday night. Collins Harris scores 18.2 ppg to lead the Panther attack, while Steven Gum is scoring 15.0 ppg.

THE LAST TIME AGAINST DRURY: On March 10, 2007, in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament at Findlay, Ohio, NKU held off Drury, 73-68. Steven Wright scored 26 points to lead the Norse. Anthony Teague hit five shots from 3-point range and finished with 19 points for NKU, which had eliminated Drury from the GLVC Tournament the previous week by a 69-62 score. In their regular-season meeting at Springfield, Mo., Drury posted a 78-69 win over NKU.

J.J. JUMPER VISITS NKU: J.J. Jumper, the official mascot of the NCAA, will appear at the NKU/Drury doubleheader this Saturday. J.J. Jumper will perform throughout both games as part of the NCAA’s commitment to promote youth basketball participation and sportsmanship.