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Nov. 17, 2001 |
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NKU DEFEATS CENTRAL STATE, 106-85 |
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St-Preux leads NKU to John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic title |
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Bobby St-Preux scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds Saturday night as the Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team defeated Central State University, 106-85, in the championship game of the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic. St-Preux, a junior forward, made 8 of 11 shots from the field and earned tournament most valuable player honors as NKU improved to 2-0. He scored 10 points in the first half as the Norse built a 43-37 lead. After Central State opened the second half with a pair of three-pointers to tie the score at 43, Craig Sanders scored six of the next eight points for NKU to give the Norse a 51-46 lead. NKU shot 76.7 percent from the field in the second half and coasted to the tournament championship. Sanders finished with 20 points and also earned all-tournament honors. NKU’s Carl Mitchell added 17 points, two blocked shots and four steals and was named the tournament’s best defensive player. Brenden Stowers (17 points) and Mike Kelsey (12 points) also scored in double figures for NKU, which won the tournament for the 12th time in 20 years. The Norse won the rebounding battle by a 42-24 margin and made 68.5 percent of their shots from the field. Rodney Jones and Ron Driver both scored 21 points to lead Central State (4-1). NKU will play host to Thomas More College at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday night in Regents Hall.
Johnathan Bowers, Ferris State Joshua Moses, Christian Brothers Craig Sanders, NKU Malcom Fields, Central State Ron Driver, Central State Best Defensive Player - Carl Mitchell, NKU Most Valuable Player - Bobby St-Preux, NKU |