HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Mike Kelsey scored 20 points and added six assists Wednesday night as Northern Kentucky University defeated Central State University, 91-76, in Regents Hall.
Kelsey, a junior guard and a graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati, connected on five three-point shots as NKU improved to 7-4. The Norse built a 28-8 lead in the first half by hitting their first six attempts from three-point range.
A three-pointer by Kelsey with 3:38 remaining in the first half gave NKU a 45-25 lead, but Central State closed the first half with a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 45-34 at the break. The Norse hit 7-of-14 three-point attempts before halftime and held Central State to just 39.4 percent shooting from the field during the first 20 minutes.
NKU started the second half with a 23-6 run to build a 68-40 lead. Kevin Schappell scored eight of his career-high 15 points to key the Norse spurt.
Schappell, a graduate of Loveland High School, also added four rebounds and three assists. As a team, NKU finished with 28 assists.
Kevin Reinhardt added 17 points for NKU, which made 50.7 percent of its shots from the field. Pat Cary scored 12 points for the Norse, and Sean Rowland added eight assists, four rebounds and two steals.
Terrence Jones scored 20 points to lead Central State, which dropped to 3-5. The Marauders shot 42.6 percent from the field and committed 20 turnovers.
NKU now leads the all-time series with Central State, 12-6. The victory was the 297th for NKU head coach Ken Shields.
NKU will take off for exams next week and return to the court on Dec. 20 with a 3:15 p.m. home game against Saginaw Valley State University.
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Kevin Schappell |