The game stayed close for the first 15 minutes but once Northern Kentucky’s defense got going, the Norse pulled away from the University of Cincinnati-Clermont Cougars for an 89-49 victory to even the season record at 1-1.
The Cougars are members of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II.
“I thought after another slow start, it was a really good response from our guys in how we need to play to play our best,” said Darrin Horn, Norse head coach. “Regardless of what we’re doing, we have to play aggressive. We’re not necessarily a big, physical team that’s going to bully you. I didn’t think we did that in the first 10 minutes of the first half. We changed defenses. That got us a bit more aggressive. I think we had 30 deflections in the second half. When we do that, we can be a really good defensive team. When we don’t, we’re not a good defensive team at all. Hopefully, that’s something that we can build on and learn from doing it the right way for the last 30 minutes.”
NKU made 35 of 68 shots for 52 percent including 9 for 29 percent from three-point range for 43 percent and just 10 of 22 free throws for 46 percent to go with 47 rebounds, 14 fouls, 20 assists, 13 turnovers, five blocked shots and 13 steals. UC-Clermont made 17 of 48 shots for 35 percent including 6 for 19 from three-point range for 32 percent and 9 for 13 free throws for 69 percent to go with 27 rebounds, 18 fouls, 14 assists, 27 turnovers, one blocked shot and seven steals.
The Cougars came out shooting well building a 16-11 lead with 12:57 left in the first half. But the Norse finished the half with a 30-12 run to go up 41-28 at halftime. The Norse made 12 of 23 shots during the run and limited the Cougars to just 12 attempts.
NKU kept the momentum going to start the second half scoring five straight including three consecutive triples from junior guard Marques Warrick to extend the lead to 54-28 with 16:03 left in the game. The Norse finished the game outscoring the visitors, 35-21.
Warrick had a game-high 26 points making 10 of 20 shots including 5 of 9 from three-point range. Fifth-year forward Chris Brandon made 8 of 9 shots from the field on his way to a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds and fifth-year senior Trevon Faulkner added 17 points and eight rebounds.
“Grabbing the rebound and getting in transition is one of our main focuses in those first 10 seconds (of possessions),” Warrick said. “If someone’s ahead, we just hit them. My teammates found (Brandon) a couple times running the floor.”
NKU took advantage of its size in the paint outscoring UC-Clermont there, 46-18. The Norse also had 20 second-chance points to four for the visitors.
In the lopsided win, 11 Norse saw action not including point guard Sam Vinson, who is out with an ankle sprain suffered in the season-opening loss to Kent State. Covington Catholic graduate Noah Hupmann hit one of two free throws and recent Scott graduate Mitchel Minor also saw some action.
The Norse plays host to the University of Cincinnati (2-0) on Wednesday. Game time is 7 p.m.
