HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - A milestone victory is always great, but it’s especially pleasing when the coach gets it in front of the home fans.
That’s exactly what happened Tuesday night when Ken Shields recorded his 300th career victory as Northern Kentucky University’s head coach with an 82-67 win over the College of Mount St. Joseph in Regents Hall.
Unlike his 200th and 250th victories - which were both accomplished on the road - Shields treated the Regents Hall crowd of 1,432 to his 300th career win. He also became the first men’s basketball coach in Norse history to reach the 300-win plateau.
“It was special to get the 300th win, but winning it at home made it that much better,” said Shields, who is now 300-159 in 16 years as the NKU head coach. “We did a good job of getting an early lead, and even though they made a run at us in the second half, we responded and hit our free throws down the stretch.”
NKU (10-4) ran out to a 38-25 halftime lead Tuesday behind the play of junior point guard Sean Rowland, who scored 11 points and dished out five assists in the opening 20 minutes. Rowland finished with a career-high 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
“Sean has been consistent for us all season, and he hit some big baskets in the first half,” Shields said. “He has emerged into a really solid point guard.”
The Norse led by as many as 20 points in the second half and coasted past the Lions (6-4). Mike Kelsey scored 14 of his team-high 17 points in the second half to lead the NKU surge.
Jesse Rupe came off the bench and chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds for NKU, which shot 47.4 percent from the field. Kevin Reinhardt and Steve Purdon each added nine points for the Norse.
Robbie Noschang led Mount St. Joseph with 17 points. The Lions won the rebounding battle by a 36-30 margin.
NKU will play host to unbeaten University of Indianapolis (11-0) at 7:45 p.m. this Friday in Regents Hall. The Greyhounds are ranked No. 16 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll.
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Ken Shields |