HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Cris Brunson’s 10-foot jumper with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime Thursday night gave the University of Southern Indiana an 87-85 victory over Northern Kentucky University, snapping the Norse’s 20-game home win streak.
NKU held a 77-74 lead with 12.5 seconds left in the game, but the Norse’s Adam Howell missed two free throws to give Southern Indiana a final chance to tie. The Screaming Eagles’ David Ragland then made a 25-foot three-pointer with 0.4 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.
Mike Kelsey made a three-pointer in the closing seconds of overtime to tie the game at 85-85, but Brunson then ran the clock down, drove the lane and hit a leaning jumper to give Southern Indiana (17-5 overall, 11-4 Great Lakes Valley Conference) the victory.
NKU held a 75-70 lead with 49 seconds remaining after Brenden Stowers converted a pair of free throws. NKU still had a 76-71 advantage with 29 seconds left after Kelsey hit one of two free throws, but the Norse missed three of their next four attempts from the line to give Southern Indiana its chances.
Ragland made a driving layup to cut the lead to 77-74 with 14 seconds left, and the senior guard later drilled the three-point shot that sent the game into overtime.
Quentin Smith scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds for NKU, which dropped to 19-4 overall, 13-3 in the GLVC. Stowers added 19 points for the Norse, who dropped into second place in the GLVC behind Kentucky Wesleyan College (20-2 overall, 13-2 GLVC).
NKU made 65 percent of its shots from the field in the second half, but Southern Indiana used a 50-26 rebounding advantage to offset the Norse’s shooting.
Kelsey extended his streak of games scoring in double figures to 15 by finishing with 18 points for NKU. The Norse - ranked No. 10 nationally in the latest NCAA Division II poll - were 11-0 at home this season going into Thursday’s game.
NKU’s 20-game home win streak ranked No. 2 nationally in NCAA Division II men’s basketball. The Norse had not lost in Regents Hall since Dec. 6, 2001, when Kentucky Wesleyan posted a 64-62 win over NKU.
NKU will play host to Kentucky Wesleyan at 1 p.m. Saturday in Regents Hall. The Panthers are ranked No. 4 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll.
Quentin Smith