Gavin Ludgood

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Kevin Schappell scored 18 points and made six free throws in the final 20 seconds of the game as Northern Kentucky University upset No. 19 Lynn (Fla.), 69-68, Friday night.

After Scott Bibbins converted two free throws with three seconds left to give NKU a 69-65 lead, Lynn’s James Cage made a 3-pointer at the buzzer to account for the final margin. Bibbins finished with a career-high 11 points for the Norse, who led by nine points (60-51) with just more than a minute remaining.

“We stepped up and made our free throws at the end, and that was our cushion,” NKU head coach Dave Bezold said. “We were playing against the clock at the end, and we beat a very good team.”

Schappell, a graduate of Loveland High School, also grabbed seven rebounds as NKU defeated a team ranked in the NCAA Division II national poll for the second time this season. The Norse also knocked off No. 6 Findlay on Nov. 18.

NKU shot 55.2 percent from the field in the second half and was 14-for-16 from the free-throw line after the break. In the first half, the Norse were 2-for-7 from the line.

Lynn, which advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four last season, dropped to 8-3. Andrew Smith scored 18 points to lead the Fighting Knights, and Sheldon Edwards added 16 points.

Gavin Ludgood finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds for NKU, which shot 45.5 percent from the field. Vincent Humphrey had 11 points and seven rebounds for NKU, which improved to 8-3.

“Gavin was outstanding, and he came back after having an off night in our loss against Nova Southeastern,” Bezold said. “He rebounded the ball and was a force inside against some really strong players.”

Ludgood, a 6-foot-8 senior center, also collected four blocked shots and was 5-for-7 from the field.

“Any time you can get a victory on the road, it’s great, but this is a big-time win against a really good team,” said Ludgood, who played 37 minutes on Friday.

Billy Finnell finished with 10 points and six assists for NKU, which is 2-0 all-time against Lynn. The Norse also defeated the Fighting Knights in the 1997 NCAA Division II national semifinals at Louisville, Ky.

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