INDIANAPOLIS - Ryan Hixson made two free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining in the game Thursday night to give the University of Indianapolis a 73-72 win over Northern Kentucky University in Nicoson Hall.
After Hixson converted the two free throws, NKU’s Jordan Stowers drove the length of the floor and attempted a driving layup. The shot, however, rolled around the rim and fell out as the buzzer sounded.
Indianapolis - which had lost seven straight games against NKU entering Thursday - improved to 8-4 overall, 3-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. NKU lost its second consecutive game after opening the season with 10 straight victories and is now 10-2 overall, 4-1 in the GLVC.
NKU held a 62-55 lead with eight minutes remaining, but Indianapolis used the scoring of Hixson (22 points) and David Logan (18 points) to forge a 70-69 advantage with 2:52 left. A layup by Quentin Smith gave NKU a 72-70 lead with 2:11 remaining in the game, but the Norse missed four consecutive free throws in the final minute to give Indianapolis its opportunity to win.
Hixson was fouled with 4.4 seconds remaining after grabbing an offensive rebound, setting the stage for Stowers’ last-second miss. Hixson also had a game-high 10 rebounds.
Mike Kelsey scored 18 points to lead NKU, which is ranked No. 6 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll. Smith added 15 points, and Bobby St-Preux finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
NKU shot 49.1 percent from the field, but the Norse committed 19 turnovers and made just 13 off 22 free throws. Indianapolis connected on 45.5 percent of its shots from the field and made 22 of 31 free throws.
NKU will play at Saint Joseph’s College at 4:15 p.m. Saturday. The Norse have dropped their last two games against the Pumas at the Scharf Alumni Fieldhouse, including a 73-70 setback last season.
Mike Kelsey