Northern Kentucky Sports Chronicle

NKU’s Paul Cluxton, LaRon Moore, Andre McClendon and Ken Shields after defeating Virginia Union. ---------------- (This story was originally published in The Kentucky Post on March 22, 1996) By Tom Gamble Kentucky Post sports editor LOUISVILLE — After spending more than three decades on the sideline and winning almost 600 career games, Northern Kentucky University basketball coach Ken Shields can sense when a team has what it takes to win. And Shields has that feeling. One night after sophomore guard Andy Listerman scored a career-high 19 points, including the game-winning layup with 2.8 seconds left to give NKU a 56-55 win over Cal State Bakersfield, the Norse found another way to win. Thursday, it was junior forward LaRon Moore who came up with the big shot — a turnaround jumper with just 3.2 seconds remaining (pictured on right) — that enabled NKU to beat Virginia Union, 68-66, in an NCAA Division II semifinal game before a crowd of 2,596 at the Commonwealth Convention Center. As a ...

(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.” Moore made sure the Norse didn’t lose Saturday, scoring 20 of his career-high 35 points in the second half to help No. 2 seed NKU defeat Oakland (Mich.), 101-87, in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional final before 1,550 at Nicoson Hall. A 6-foot-6, 190-pound Lexington native, Moore scored 17 of NKU...