HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Mike Kelsey scored 23 points Saturday night as Northern Kentucky University defeated Kentucky State University, 90-65, in the championship game of the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic in Regents Hall.
Kelsey, a sophomore guard and a graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati, connected on six three-point shots as NKU (2-0) captured the tournament championship for the fourth consecutive year. Kelsey was also named the tournament’s most valuable player.
NKU shot 61.7 percent from the field and hit 11 of 19 three-point attempts. The Norse built a 43-33 halftime lead as Kelsey scored 12 points, and NKU led by as many as 29 points in the second half to coast to the victory.
Brenden Stowers added 15 points, six rebounds and four steals for NKU. Bobby St-Preux finished with 11 points and three blocked shots for the Norse, while teammates Quentin Smith and Adam Howell each added 10 points.
Stowers and Smith were named to the All-Tournament Team, while NKU’s Jesse Rupe was named the tournament’s best defensive player. Ricky Green led Kentucky State (1-1) with 13 points, but the Thorobreds shot just 37.3 percent from the field.
NKU will travel to Crestview Hills, Ky., this Wednesday to play Thomas More College at 7:30 p.m.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Lloyd Rogers, Ohio Valley
Tyson McGlaughlin, Findlay
Ricky Green, Kentucky State
Quentin Smith, NKU
Brenden Stowers, NKU
Best Defensive Player - Jesse Rupe, NKU
Most Valuable Player - Mike Kelsey, NKU
Mike Kelsey