NKU men’s basketball program celebrates 40th birthday by slamming way to 106-58 win over UC-Clermont

(This story was originally published on Nov. 12, 2011)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — For their 40th birthday on Saturday, the Norse of Northern Kentucky University blew out the candles. Then, they blew away UC-Clermont.

NKU opened the game with a 38-8 run and cruised to a 106-58 victory over visiting UC-Clermont. Given it was the 40th anniversary of the program’s first-ever game, the Norse appropriately built a 40-point halftime lead (64-24) by shooting 61.1 percent from the field.

“We moved the ball really well in the first half and knocked down open shots, and that allowed us to build a huge lead,” NKU head coach Dave Bezold said. “We were able to get everyone in the game, and it was a nice way to begin the regular season.”

Jon Van Hoose led NKU (1-0) with 17 points, going 5-for-8 from 3-point range. DeAndre Nealy added 16 points and nine rebounds in his Norse debut, while Stretch Watson finished with 14 points and nine boards.

Ethan Faulkner scored 13 points, dished out six assists and collected three steals, while teammate Jalen Billups finished with 11 points in his first collegiate game. The Norse finished the game shooting 52.9 percent from the field and improved to 9-0 all-time against the Cougars (3-2).

Exactly 40 years earlier, then-Northern Kentucky State College played its first-ever basketball game against Calvary (Ky.). That game was played at old Newport High School’s gym on Columbia Street. Northern Kentucky State defeated Calvary, 109-65, as six Norsemen scored in double figures.

In that game, the Norsemen rolled into halftime with a 56-27 lead. On Saturday, NKU managed to do even better.

The Norse opened up a 22-3 lead just seven minutes into the game when Nealy jammed down a two-handed dunk. Van Hoose knocked down a 3-pointer with 8:29 left on the clock to extend the lead to 38-8, and the rout had commenced. Lots of dunks and 3-pointers followed, making it a happy 40th for the NKU basketball program.

NKU finished with a 47-30 advantage on the glass. The Norse were 10-for-25 from 3-point range and held UC-Clermont to 33.3 percent shooting from the field. NKU is now 33-8 all-time in season openers.

The Norse play host to the 30th annual John L Griffin/Lions Club Classic next weekend. NKU faces Lane (Tenn.) at 7:30 p.m. Friday and wraps up the two-day event Saturday by meeting Glenville State at 7:30 p.m. 




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From near extinction to total redemption, NKU cross country reflects Kruse’s perseverance

Image
The NKU cross country team qualified for the 1979 NCAA Division II nationals. ------------------------------------------------------ Steve Kruse isn’t just a head coach at Northern Kentucky University. No, he’s more of a reluctant landmark on the Highland Heights campus, a statue of adaptive perseverance and impassioned longevity. A nearly six-decade association with the NKU cross country program — both as a runner and head coach — has made Kruse a modern connection to the infancy of the athletics program. It wouldn’t be accurate to say he’s a walking history book, simply because Kruse’s best known in the area of running. And, in 26 years as cross country head coach, he’s built a program that’s successful both academically and athletically. The affable Kruse is also inconspicuously linked to Hollywood giants Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman from an NKU perspective. Ever hear of the Academy Award-winning movie “Rain Man” and a place called St. Anne Convent? Steve Kruse Having been around N
Read more

NKU captures NCAA Division II national championship in overtime; Norse primed for repeat run

Image
(This article was originally published on March 27, 2000) By Sean Keeler Post staff reporter PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team, coming off a 2000 NCAA Division II national championship Saturday, has more than enough pieces coming back this fall to make a repeat run. NKU returns all five starters from this season's national champion. The roster is composed of four juniors, two sophomores and four freshmen. While the program has maintained a standard of excellence — a 62-5 record over the last two seasons, 32 wins this year — the Norse know they've become an extra-special marquee game for their opponents next season. “We already know we have a big target on our backs for next season,” said junior guard Michele Tuchfarber, who had nine points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in a 71-62 overtime win over North Dakota State. It’s a role that was more familiar to the favored Bison, whose program had won five national titles. I
Read more