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Jan. 12, 2002 |
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NKU RALLIES TO DEFEAT SJC, 90-85 |
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Sanders scores 31 as NKU improves to 11-4 |
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Craig Sanders scored 31 points and made two clutch free throws late in the game Saturday afternoon as the Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team defeated Saint Joseph’s College, 90-85, in Regents Hall. NKU (11-4 overall, 7-2 Great Lakes Valley Conference) built a 17-point lead early in the first half, but Saint Joseph’s sliced the deficit to 48-38 at halftime. The Pumas used a 24-9 run in the second half to take a 70-68 lead with 9:48 remaining on a layup by Brent Mason. Saint Joseph’s led by five points (84-79) with 3:29 left, but a pair of free throws from Mike Kelsey followed by a three-pointer by Brenden Stowers tied the game at 84-84. Stowers made a pair of free throws to give NKU an 86-84 lead with 1:36 remaining, and Sanders extended the advantage to 88-84 by making two free throws at the 1:28 mark. Saint Joseph’s (3-12, 0-9 GLVC) scored just one point during the final 3:29 of the game. The Pumas shot 51.6 percent from the field and won the rebounding battle by a 40-34 margin. Carl Mitchell finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and three blocked shots for NKU, which won despite shooting 32.3 percent from the field in the second half. Bobby St-Preux added 13 points and four blocked shots, and Stowers had 13 points. NKU will play host to Bellarmine University at 7:45 p.m. next Saturday night in Regents Hall in the 2002 Homecoming. |