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Dec. 6, 2001 |
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NO. 1 KWC DEFEATS NKU, 64-62 |
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Panthers edge Norse in battle of nationally ranked teams |
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Bobby Zuerner scored 17 points and made two clutch free throws with 4.9 seconds remaining in the game Thursday night as top-ranked Kentucky Wesleyan College defeated Northern Kentucky University, 64-62, in a battle of nationally rated NCAA Division II squads. Zuerner’s two free throws with 4.9 seconds left gave Kentucky Wesleyan a 64-60 lead. NKU’s Craig Sanders hit a jumper at the buzzer to account for the final margin. Kentucky Wesleyan (6-0, 5-0 Great Lakes Valley Conference), ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, built a 31-23 halftime lead by holding 17th-ranked NKU to just 33.3 percent shooting from the field. The Panthers used the inside attack of Tyrus Boswell (16 points, nine rebounds) and the outside shooting of Zuerner to eventually build a double-digit lead (37-27) in the second half. NKU, however, fought back behind the play of Sanders (19 points), Carl Mitchell (13 points, eight rebounds, five blocked shots) and Brenden Stowers (14 points, four assists) to take a 53-52 lead on a Stowers’ three-pointer with 3:31 remaining. Kentucky Wesleyan regained the lead at 54-53 when Boswell hit a short jumper with 3:17 remaining, and the Panthers never trailed again. NKU (5-2 overall, 2-2 GLVC) collected 11 blocked shots against the taller Panthers, but the Norse made just 7 of 21 three-point attempts. Sanders has now scored in double figures in 27 consecutive games dating back to last season. The last time Sanders was held below double figures was Jan. 6, 2001, during a 90-75 loss at Southern Indiana. The NKU record for consecutive games in double figures is 39, set by Brady Jackson. NKU will play host to the University of Southern Indiana at 7:45 p.m. Saturday night in Regents Hall. |