HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Two more wins.
That’s all Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball head coach Ken Shields needs to reach the 300-victory plateau after his Norse rallied for an 87-72 win over Saginaw Valley State University on Saturday in Regents Hall. Shields, in his 16th season at NKU, is now 298-159 as the Norse mentor.
Kevin Reinhardt scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half to lead NKU on Saturday. Reinhardt, a freshman forward and a graduate of Campbell County High School, also added seven rebounds as NKU improved to 8-4.
The Norse rallied from a 38-35 halftime deficit behind the shooting of Reinhardt and junior guard Mike Kelsey (16 points). Kelsey capped a 13-2 NKU run early in the second half with a three-pointer to give the Norse a 48-40 lead.
Kevin Schappell scored six points during that spurt for NKU, which shot 60.9 percent from the field in the second half. Schappell finished with 12 points for NKU, and Jesse Rupe came off the bench and added 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Sean Rowland dished out a career-high 11 assists for NKU, which is 3-1 all-time against Saginaw Valley State.
Anthony Parker scored 31 points to lead Saginaw Valley State, which dropped to 6-4. The Cardinals led by as many as eight points in the first half, but NKU rallied and eventually took a 28-25 lead with 4:15 remaining after consecutive baskets by Kelsey and Reinhardt.
Saginaw Valley State responded with a 13-7 run, and Parker drained a three-pointer from the right side at the halftime buzzer to give the Cardinals a 38-35 lead.
Schappell scored the first four points of the second half, though, to give NKU a 39-38 lead. Parker converted a basket at the 18:16 mark to give Saginaw Valley State a 40-39 advantage, but the Norse answered by scoring the next nine points and controlled the rest of the game.
NKU will play a road game at Wayne (Mich.) State University at 7:30 p.m. on Monday in Detroit, Mich. A year ago, the Norse posted a 79-66 win over the Warriors in Regents Hall.
|
Ken Shields |