By Parker Fields
On a gloomy Night in Highland Heights there was one thing to get excited about.
Norse Basketball.
This game did not disappoint, from highlight alley-oops to a game-winning shot in overtime, this
the game truly had it all.
The Norse picked up right where they left off on Tuesday, hitting 3 threes in the first 3 minutes
to get out to a quick 9-5 lead. Trevon Faulkner was especially hot to start the half, with 3 threes
in the first 7 minutes. After the Norse’s hot start, however, After the Norse’s hot start, it was
just about all UNCG for the rest of the half. The Spartans dominated the rest of the half
physically leading the Norse 24-0 points in the paint. They dominated the offensive glass as
well leading that 8-4. UNCG’s matchup zone really made NKU work and they struggled to find
open looks consistently. The Spartans ended the half on a 28-13 run which resulted in the
Norse being down 38-28 at the half. Trevon Faulkner continued his hot play throughout the
half, leading the Norse with 17 points on 5 made threes, followed by Sam Vinson with 5 points
and 5 assists. UNCG was led by Senior De’monte Buckingham with 9 points, followed by Kaleb
Hunter and Khyre Thompson with 6 apiece.
In the second half, NKU got out to a quick 12-0 start before UNCG answered. The Norse
came out much more aggressive and looked to attack the holes of the Spartans zone much
more. Especially Marques Warrick who came out with a quick 9 points in the first couple
minutes of the half. Faulkner scored his 1,000 point in his illustrious career on a 3 pointer early
in the half. The rest of the half was back and forth, with more clutch buckets by Faulkner and
Warrick. The game was tied with 40 seconds left 60-60 before Marques Warrick hit a huge
three to give the Norse the lead, however, a late layup by Mohammed Abdulsalam tied the
game at 64 with 3 seconds left, before Trevon Faulkner’s last-second three-point attempt
landed just short.
We had overtime at BB&T.
In Overtime, it was low scoring as NKU lead 69-68 before Buckingham for UNCG scored a late
layup to seal the game for UNCG with about 15 seconds left. Faulkner had a shot for the lead
but missed a tough fadeaway as UNCG held off NKU and won the game 70-69.
NKU battled back tough tonight, but in the end it was too little too late.
NKU was led by Trevon Faulkner with 28 points on 6 threes, Marques Warrick with 14 points,
and Sam Vinson with 8 points and 7 rebounds.
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NCG was led by Mohammed Abdulsalam with 13 points and 5 rebounds and De’monte.
Buckingham with 11 points and 6 rebounds.
The Norse will look to bounce back against Eastern Michigan on Thursday at 7 p.m. at BB&T.
