(Photo Courtesy by Jeff McCurry)
First Horizon League game for Norse Head Coach Darrin Horn went as well as it could have for the Norse being down two of their key players.
The Norse kept their staggering defense up for the conference opener, specifically on the perimeter holding Milwaukee to just 12% from the three point area while also out rebounding the Panthers 41-34. The Norse also pulled a slight advantage in steals four to three. Illinois transfer Te'Jon Lucas had 24 points for Milwaukee but the second leading scorer was Wil Sessoms with just 11 points.
On the offensive end of the ball Tyler Sharpe had his third straight 30+ point performance with 31 points shooting 6-10 from three and 7-7 from the free throw line. The Norse rain their offense through Sharpe and Trevon Faulkner. Coach Horn mentioned in his post game presser his goal was for Sharpe and Faulkner to combine for 40 field goal attempts. Sharpe had 17 where Faulkner had 14 so they fell just short, but still enough to give the Norse the victory.
NKU also got a pick up from Adrian Nelson who had nine points of his own and tied a career high in rebounds with 12. Nelson also got the start today in place of Silas Adheke.
After Today's victory, the Norse are 113th in the country on KenPom.com with the 116th rated defensive efficiency at 97.4, slightly above the NCAA average of 100.0. NKU is now 9-4 and 1-0 in conference play. Up next for the Norse, they will host Green Bay on Monday night. Green Bay is currently 5-9 and started conference play today with a loss against Wright St. 90-84.
