Kevin Schappell

KENOSHA, Wis. - Northern Kentucky University’s Kevin Schappell broke a promise to his coach Thursday night, but he made up for it by grabbing a big offensive rebound - off his own missed free throw - in the closing seconds against Wisconsin-Parkside.

Schappell scored 15 points as NKU posted a 68-65 win over Wisconsin-Parkside. Schappell - who had just missed two free throws three seconds earlier - made a free throw with 3.6 ticks remaining to give NKU a 68-65 lead.

He then missed the second attempt but rushed in to grab the offensive rebound, preventing Wisconsin-Parkside from getting a last-second try at a 3-point shot.

“He promised me he would not miss the next one,” NKU head coach Dave Bezold said, joking about Schappell’s missed second attempt, “but maybe it was a good idea because we ran the clock out.”

Harrison Morton gave NKU the lead for good with 57 seconds remaining when he converted two free throws for a 65-64 Norse advantage. Wisconsin-Parkside had two chances to take the lead, but a missed shot and a turnover gave NKU the ball with less than 20 seconds remaining.

Scott Bibbins made two free throws with 16 seconds left to extend NKU’s lead to 67-64. After Schappell missed a pair of free throws with 6.3 seconds left, Brad Ferstenou was fouled with four seconds remaining. He made just one of two free throws, and the Rangers fouled Schappell with 3.6 seconds left on the clock.

Travis Rasso added 11 points for NKU, which improved to 16-10 overall, 11-7 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Kevin Reinhardt and Billy Finnell each scored 10 points for the Norse, who
close out the regular season Saturday with a road game against Lewis.

“These are meaningful games for both the conference tournament, and to get back to the NCAAs,” Bezold said. “Our guys have put us in position to be an NCAA team, but we still have to win some big games to get there.”

NKU is currently ranked eighth in the NCAA II Great Lakes Region poll. The Norse have already clinched a berth in the GLVC Tournament, which begins March 3 at Evansville, Ind.

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