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KENOSHA, Wis. - A second-half scoring drought isn't good under any circumstance, especially on the road against a talented opponent. As it did Thursday night for Northern Kentucky University, it usually leads to a loss. NKU scored just three points during the opening seven minutes of the second half and watched as Wisconsin-Parkside battled back for an 80-73 win in the DeSimone Gymnasium. The Rangers - who trailed by five points (39-34) at halftime - opened the second half with a 24-10 run and cruised to the Great Lakes Valley Conference victory. "We had good shots, we just didn't make them," NKU head coach Dave Bezold said. "We were 8-for-14 in our 3-point attempts in the first half, and then we go 1-for-12 in the second half. That tells the tale." NKU (7-4 overall, 1-3 GLVC) sizzled during the opening 20 minutes by shooting 56.5 percent from the field. The Norse made eight shots from 3-point range - including 4-for-4 shooting from downtown by Anthony Teague - and appeared to be in good shape at the break with the five-point lead. During the first seven minutes of the second half, however, NKU managed only a layup and a free throw by Teague. Wisconsin-Parkside took full advantage of the drought and eventually built a 58-49 lead on a 3-pointer by Dave Keane. Keane came off the bench and scored 18 points - all on 3-point shots. "We knew he was capable of shooting it, but it just happened to be his night. He made his first shot and gained some confidence, but we also had some defensive lapses as well," Bezold said. LaVontay Fenderson scored 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Rangers, who improved to 10-5 overall, 2-3 in the GLVC. The Rangers finished 11-for-23 from 3-point range and sealed the win by sinking 14-of-18 free throws in the second half. Steven Wright netted 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead NKU. The senior guard also dished out five assists in 36 minutes. Teague finished with 19 points and five rebounds, while James Cripe added 11 points. The scoring drought to begin the second half, however, doomed NKU in this game. "It happens every game. We had point-blank shots and we don't finish them," Bezold said. "We had a number of defensive lapses in the second half that contributed to their ability to come back. We just are not mentally tough enough to sustain defense for whatever reason. We start gambling on defense, and we just don't have the toughness right now." The Norse travel to Romeoville, Ill., on Saturday to meet Lewis in another GLVC East Division game. |
