U of L transfer (and walk on), Tyler Sharpe helped his team through a 2nd half collapse that improved the Norse to 19-7 this season with a win over the Green Bay Phoenix, 86-80. Sharpe shot 5-9 from the 3 point line including some clutch long distance baskets towards the end of the game. In a game where the Norse led by as many as 15 points in the 1st half, the Green Bay Phoenix came into the 2nd half with fierce physicality. After going up 63-62 on a TJ Parham 3 pointer, Sharpe caught fire and hit some game clinching shots. Drew McDonald had his 12th double double of the season with 12 points and 15 boards. Lavone Holland II had 17 points. Phoenix leading scorer, Khalil Small led all scorers with 20 points including 9-10 from the free throw line. In an almost perfect night, NKU went 19-20 from the free throw line.
Tonight's win was the fifth straight for NKU. They have 3 more away games and a final home game (senior night) on Monday 2/19 against Youngstown St. The team is hitting on all cylinders and are confidently strutting into the Horizon League tournament in Detroit three weeks from now, a tournament NKU won last season and successfully earned them their first NCAA March Madness tournament appearance.
The NKU Norse head to Wright St. University next Friday (Feb 16th) in hopes to avenge their three point loss at home back on 1/11.
