The NKU Norse were on a mission to avenge their 5 point loss from the night before at BB&T against the IUPUI Jaguars. Unfortunately, Saturday evening was much of the same with NKU dropping another close one to IUPUI, 65-62.
The first half was close for the majority of its duration. Neither team could get a good run brewing with the biggest lead being 6. Both teams shot slightly above 40% and the rebounding was even. Jaylen Minnett and Marcus Burk lead the Jaguars with 12 points each. IUPUI lead 32-26 at the end of the first half.
NKU couldn't muster up anything beyond a one point lead for the remainder of the game. The Jags took advantage of several open jump shots and generally poor defense for the majority of the 2nd half. Marcus Burk tore through the Norse, finishing the game with 23 points. While NKU was bailed out from time to time at the other end, IUPUI managed to scrape by and make good use of the Norse's turnovers. The sloppy last 2 minutes of play revolved around free throws and missed opportunities. The Jaguars were up by 4 with 30 seconds left. A missed free throw by Mike DePersia lead to a made jumpshot at the other end by Marques Warrick cutting the lead to 2. Trey Robinson committed a foul on Bobby Harvey but Harvey missed. With 5 seconds left the Norse brought the ball up the floor and Warrick missed a contested 3 point shot for the win.
Marcus Burk lead all scorers with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals. Jaylen Minnett chipped in 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Trevon Faulkner lead the Norse with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. With this loss, NKU drop their 4th straight game and fall to 5-8 for the season. NKU's next game is Friday, 1/22 against the Robert Morris Colonials (3-4) at 7:00 p.m.
