Nov. 19, 1999

NKU DEFEATS THOMAS MORE, 120-66

Norse to face UW-Stevens Point for John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic title

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Craig Sanders and Brian Lawhon both scored 15 points Friday night as the Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team opened up the 1999-2000 season with a 120-66 victory over Thomas More College in the first round of the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic in Regents Hall.

Seven players scored in double figures for NKU, which made .548 percent of its shots from the field. The Norse made 12 of 32 three-point shots and won the rebounding battle by a 51-40 margin.

Freshman guard Brenden Stowers came off the bench and scored 14 points for NKU, and freshman center Jesse Rupe added 13 points and nine rebounds in his first collegiate game. Billy Brewster added 11 points for the Norse, and Zach Wieber scored 10 points. Craig Conley scored 11 points and dished out eight assists for the Norse, who are ranked No. 6 nationally in the Division II Bulletin preseason poll.

NKU will face the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point - which posted a 71-61 win over Saint Michael’s College in the other first-round game on Friday - at 7:45 p.m. Saturday night.