KENOSHA, Wis. - This is another example of why no lead is ever safe against Northern Kentucky University’s group of three-point shooting specialists.
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside owned a 55-40 lead with just under 15 minutes to play Saturday, and the Rangers appeared on the verge of blowing NKU out the DeSimone Gymnasium. That’s when NKU - which has attempted more three-pointers than any team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference - began connecting from long range.
NKU made 8-of-13 three-point attempts in the second half to key the comeback, and Brian Lewin’s layup with 27 seconds remaining in the game gave the Norse an 80-79 victory over Wisconsin-Parkside.
“We made a lot of big plays at the end, but our three-point shooting keyed our comeback,” said NKU head coach Ken Shields, who picked up his 296th career win. “We kept our composure even when we were down 15 points, and our shots finally started to fall.”
With the Rangers leading by a 67-57 score, NKU used an 11-2 run to close the gap to 69-68. Adam Howell scored nine of his 14 second-half points during the NKU run by making a trio of three-point baskets.
In the closing minutes, Glen Barlow converted a free throw to give Wisconsin-Parkside a 79-78 advantage. The Rangers still owned that lead and the ball with less than a minute remaining, but Jerome King missed a jump shot that was rebounded by Lewin.
Sean Rowland hurried the ball down the floor, and he spotted Lewin wide open underneath the basket. Lewin converted the layup to give NKU an 80-79 lead with 27 seconds remaining.
Wisconsin-Parkside had a chance to win in the final seconds, but Dean Pogodzinski’s jumper in the lane was off target. It was NKU’s fourth straight win against Wisconsin-Parkside during the past two seasons.
Mike Kelsey led the Norse with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting, and he added a game-high eight rebounds. Kelsey also made four three-point shots.
Jesse Rupe finished with 12 points, and Kevin Reinhardt added 11 points. Rowland dished out a game-high seven assists for NKU, which made 10-of-20 from three-point range.
NKU improved to 6-4 overall, 3-1 in the GLVC. Wisconsin-Parkside is 2-4, 0-3 in the GLVC.
The Norse return to Regents Hall for a game against Central State University at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
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Adam Howell |