Derek Smith

RENSSELAER, Ind. - Derek Smith and Pat Cary combined for 44 points and 15 rebounds as Northern Kentucky University held off Saint Joseph’s, 90-77, Saturday at the Scharf Alumni Fieldhouse.
 
Smith scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds as NKU improved to 5-2 overall, 2-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Cary added 20 points and eight rebounds for the Norse.
 
NKU built a 54-32 halftime lead by shooting 75 percent (21-for-28) from the field. The Norse also shot a blistering 77.8 percent from behind the three-point arc in the first half.

The Norse opened up with their largest lead (62-38) after two free throws by Cary with 16 minutes remaining. Saint Joseph’s rallied behind the play of Sullivan Sykes (21 points) and cut the NKU lead to 73-64 on a layup by Rashad McSwine with five minutes left in the game, but key baskets by Smith and Cary helped the Norse hold on for the road victory.
 
Kevin Reinhardt finished with 12 points for NKU. Harrison Morton added 10 points for the Norse, who shot 64.2 percent from the field. Jordan Stowers added seven points and five assists for NKU.
 
NKU will play host to Lewis at 7:45 p.m. Thursday in Regents Hall.