Courtesy of NKUNorse.com
CHICAGO, Ill. – The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team fell to UIC in the final seconds on Saturday, 79-77, at the UIC Pavilion.
UIC held a six-point advantage with one minute to play when a Cole Murray three and Drew McDonald layup made it a one-point game with 27 seconds to play. It was NKU’s ball with 11.8 seconds left but the Norse could not find the net on the final possession.
Tyler White poured in 21 points, coming four shy of his season high, after netting 17 points in the second half.
McDonald followed with 15 points and pulled down a team-best eight boards for the second-straight contest.
Murray rounded out the NKU players in double figures with 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three, while Todd Johnson posted a season-high five assists.
NKU opened the game on strong shooting that pushed the Norse advantage to 16-9 early.
UIC used a run to take a brief 26-21 lead, but the Norse responded by inducing a six-minute UIC scoring drought where NKU forced a trio of turnovers.
Eight-straight points keyed by a White jumper helped rebuild the NKU lead to 31-28 with three minutes left in the opening period.
The Flames managed just 2-of-15 shooting throughout the final eight minutes of the half as NKU held a 37-33 advantage at the intermission.
UIC quickly tied the game in the second period, but NKU used a pair of threes from White and Murray to keep its distance and build an eight-point cushion at the 14:01 mark.
The midway point of the half found the teams locked in a 56-all tie before a pivotal run put UIC ahead 67-59 with just under seven minutes to play.
Five-straight points from the Norse brought them within three of the Flames heading into the game’s final possessions.
The Norse look to bounce back on Tuesday, Feb. 16 when they play host to Detroit at BB&T Arena for the final home game of the season. Northern Kentucky will honor six seniors – Jalen Billups, Jared Bryant, Jake Giesler, Johnson, White and Jack Flournoy – for their contributions in a pregame ceremony.
NORSE NOTES:
- Tyler White posted 20 or more points for the fifth time this season and third time against a Horizon League opponent.
- Six NKU players connected from long range on Saturday as NKU posted nine triples in the contest.
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