Kevin Schappell led NKU with 25 points

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - At one time, the basketball series between Northern Kentucky University and Thomas More College produced an intense rivalry. There were last-second heroics, overtime games and several huge upsets in the annual battle for The Kentucky Post Long Rifle (the one-time trophy given to the NKU/Thomas More winner).

Those days, however, are long gone.

The latest episode in the NKU/Thomas More series ended in an 85-39 Norse victory Friday night in Regents Hall. NKU (7-2) shot 55.9 percent from the field and sent the Division III Saints (0-10) to their 10th straight loss.

NKU has now beaten Thomas More 20 consecutive times and holds a 29-5 lead in the all-time series with the Saints. NKU has not lost to Thomas More since the 1980-81 season, when the Saints defeated the Norse by a 61-52 score in Regents Hall.

“The one thing we wanted to see was good basketball played and not a lot of sloppiness and carelessness, and we did that,” NKU head coach Dave Bezold said. “It doesn’t matter who you are playing against, whether they are pressing you or what level they are at, you still have to take care of the basketball and run good offense.

“We did that, and we made open shots tonight which we needed to do for everyone’s confidence involved out on that floor.”

Kevin Schappell scored 20 of his game-high 25 points in the first half to lead NKU. Schappell, a graduate of Loveland High School, made six 3-point field goals and was 9-for-15 from the field. He also added three rebounds and an assist.

“I thought we came out and shot the ball well. It just helped our confidence,” said Schappell, who drained five 3-pointers in the first half. “Coming into the game, a lot of our guards didn’t have a lot of confidence, and we didn’t hit a lot of shots the last couple of games.”

Harrison Morton drives to the basket

Vincent Humphrey and Mark Hawkins each added 13 points for the Norse, who shot 55.9 percent from the field and were 12-for-21 in 3-point attempts. Hawkins hit a trio of 3-point shots in the first half as NKU built a 45-24 lead.

NKU opened the second half with a 23-2 run to build 68-26 lead. The Norse eventually extended the advantage to 50 points (81-31) and coasted to the victory.

Gavin Ludgood scored nine points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots for NKU, while David McFarland added eight rebounds and six assists. Travis Rasso finished with nine points on 4-for-5 shooting from the field.

As a team, NKU finished with 23 assists. The passing resulted in numerous good shot attempts.

“It just shows everybody’s unselfish on our team,” Schappell said of the 23 assists. “We made the extra pass a lot to break the zone down to get open threes, and that is why we shot so well because we made that extra pass.”

Billy Finnell dished out five assists and had three steals. Harrison Morton added four assists and five points.

“That just showed that even though we had a lead - a large lead - that the guys were still playing good, solid basketball and weren’t getting selfish,” Bezold said. “They understand that there is a certain way we have to play and regardless of the score, you still stay within those confines.”

After the Christmas break, NKU will travel to Florida for games against Nova Southeastern (Dec. 29) and NCAA Division II powerhouse Lynn (Dec. 30).

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