HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Sean Rowland made four free throws in the final 27 seconds Thursday night as Northern Kentucky University held off the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 72-67, in Regents Hall.
NKU (12-8 overall, 5-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference) built a 17-point lead in the second half behind the shooting of Mike Kelsey, who scored a game-high 24 points. Kelsey also became the 23rd member of the NKU 1,000-point club early in the first half when he connected on a three-point shot.
Kelsey, a graduate of Elder High School in Cincinnati, now has 1,018 career points.
NKU used a 7-2 run to start the second half to build a 44-27 lead. The Norse still owned a 59-46 advantage with 6:36 remaining after Rupe made two free throws.
Wisconsin-Parkside, however, used a 13-4 run late in the game to forge a 66-66 tie on a three-pointer by Gareth Malkowski with 1:42 remaining. Kelsey, though, hit a driving layup with 1:18 left to give the Norse a 68-66 lead.
Kevin Boutelle drew a foul and made one of two free throws with 1:01 left to bring the Rangers within 68-67, but Rowland sealed the win for NKU by hitting four straight free throws. Rowland finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Rupe added 13 points and seven rebounds for NKU, which shot 46.4 percent from the field. Steve Purdon finished with 11 points, while teammate Kevin Reinhardt came off the bench and scored eight points.
NKU improved to 9-0 all-time against Wisconsin-Parkside in Regents Hall. The Norse own a 16-4 lead in the all-time series with the Rangers.
Malkowski led Wisconsin-Parkside (6-10 overall, 2-7 GLVC) with 16 points, and Dean Pogodzinski added 12 points.
NKU will play host to Saint Joseph’s College at 3:15 p.m. Saturday in Regents Hall.
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Sean Rowland |