NKU earns return trip to NCAA Division II Elite Eight with 101-87 win over Oakland (Mich.) in regional final
(This story was originally published on March 10, 1997)
By Tom Gamble
Kentucky Post sports editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Every time the Northern Kentucky University basketball team steps onto the Regents Hall court for practice, the Norse are reminded of their six preseason goals.
But, when NKU players check the list posted inside their locker room today, they’ll find only one goal remains unaccomplished — a goal that has been their only real objective since last March.
“Winning a national championship is what we're really out to accomplish,” said senior forward LaRon Moore. “If we don't do it now, we won't have another chance. We’re this far, so (there’s) no reason to lose now.”
A 6-foot-6, 190-pound Lexington native, Moore scored 17 of NKU's first 27 points in the second half, including six straight to give the Norse a 77-67 lead and enable coach Ken Shields’ team to win its second consecutive regional title.
It also allowed NKU to accomplish goal No. 5, winning the regional title. The Norse reached the other four during the regular season, winning each of three tournaments in which they played and earning a share of the Great Lakes Valley Conference crown.
The victory over Oakland earns NKU, the national runner-up last season, a second straight trip to the Elite Eight and leaves the Norse just three wins away from the school’s first national championship in any sport.
NKU (28-4), which lost to No. 1 and unbeaten Fort Hays State, 70-63, in last year’s national final, will face Texas A&M-Commerce (24-7), the South Central Regional winner, in the NCAA quarterfinals.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, at the Commonwealth Convention Center in Louisville. The national final will be played at 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.
NKU’s national title aspirations appeared in jeopardy against No. 5 seed Oakland, which connected on 11 of 20 3-point field goals in the first half to take a 49-48 halftime lead.
A night earlier, Oakland eliminated No. 1 seed Indianapolis, 75-72.
The Norse had trailed at the half only four times all season. And they had lost every time. But, led by its senior trio of Moore, Paul Cluxton and Shannon Minor, NKU kept its postseason run alive.
Besides the second-half scoring barrage by Moore, Cluxton added 10 points including two key 3-point goals, and Minor shut down Matt Riley, the Oakland sharpshooter. Riley managed just six points after nailing six 3-pointers in the first half.
“I just told Shannon Minor, ‘You're the quickest player I've ever had on offense, and you better soon become the fastest on defense because I'm going to give you one more chance,’” said Shields. “And he did a much better job.”
Shields also got a solid effort from his other two returnees. Junior guard Andy Listerman scored 15 off the bench in both games and his brother, sophomore guard Kevin Listerman, had seven steals in two games.
NKU is counting on experience to be a factor in the Elite Eight — where the Norse beat perennial national power Cal State Bakersfield, 56-55, and Virginia Union, 68-66, last season to make it to the final.
“We did everything last year except win a national championship,” said Minor, referring to NKU's 25-7 finish in 1995-96 and its first regional title last March. “If we don't get it this time, (the season) will be disappointing.”
Junior center Cliff Clinton added 17 points for NKU on 8-for-11 shooting from the field. The game marked Oakland’s final at the NCAA Division II level as the Pioneers will move up to Division I next season.
Cluxton, who hasn’t missed a free throw this season, buried all six of his charity tosses against Oakland.
OAKLAND (23-8): Buza 5-8 5-6 15, Frohock 3-5 0-0 8, McClellan 9-15 1-2 19, Riley 8-12 0-0 24, Kovach 5-15 3-4 16, Thom 0-1 0-0 0, Baber 0-0 0-0 0, Amrhein 1-1 3-5 5, Reynolds 0-1 0-0 0, Matuszewski 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-59 12-17 87.
NKU (28-4): Cluxton 5-10 6-6 19, Moore 13-20 8-9 35, Clinton 8-11 1-2 17, Minor 2-5 1-2 7, K. Listerman 1-4 2-2 5, Lane 0-4 2-4 2, A. Listerman 5-12 3-3 14, Clark 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 35-67 23-28 101.
Halftime-Oakland, 49-48. Three-point goals-Oakland 13-31 (Buza 0-1, Frohock 2-4, McClellan 0-2, Riley 8-12, Kovach 3-10, Reynolds 0-1, Matuszewski 0-1), NKU 8-16 (Cluxton 3-5, Moore 1-1, Minor 2-3, K. Listerman 1-3 Lane 0-1, A. Listerman 1-3). Fouled out-Buza, Frohock. Rebounds-Oakland 29 (McClellan 9), NKU 35 (Moore 8). Assists-Oakland 18 (Kovach 6), NKU 20 (K. Listerman 8). Fouls-Oakland 21, NKU 14. Attendance-1,550.
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