The Norse stepped back into Truist Arena on Saturday to welcome Kentucky State in a game that seemed like a possibility for NKU to get back on track and earn their first victory of the year. They also had the opportunity to hand the Thoroughbreds their first loss of the year.
The scoring started quickly for the Norse as a Josh Dilling three pointer and Sam Vinson layup put the Norse up 5-0 early. The scoring wouldn’t stop there as a Hubertas Pivorius three pointer, Vinson floater in the lane and an LJ Wells bucket and free throw would all find the bottom of the net to get NKU off to a hot 13-2 start.
The avalanche of Norse points would continue as Vinson would keep his aggressive scoring mentality that he had against Cincinnati. He poured in the next two three pointers to quickly get himself to 10 points, followed by a Wells layup that pushed the score to 21-2.
KSU would finally find some relief as Gregory Melvin would make a shot to give the Thorobreds their second basket at the 13 minute mark.
Paulis Rapolis, Randall Pettus II and Dan Gherezgher would all get hot from the field to inflate the lead to 34-13 by the eight minute mark.
Lavar Miller Jr., one of the top scorers in all of division II and an HBCU all-star, was the lone bright spot for the Thorobreds as he poured 15 of the team’s first half 30 points.
The biggest highlight in the first half was the lob pass from Pettus II to Vinson, who hammered down the two handed flush to put an exciting punctuation on an electric first half that saw the Norse head into the locker room up 50-30.
Aziel Blackwell had a solid start to the second half, as four of his points in the first two minutes gave some life to the Kentucky State sideline. However Pivorious shut down that spark quickly, as a tough pump fake finish led to the eventual free throw to pair with the bucket.
Rapolis also helped support the Norse lead, as four points from him kept the Norse out in front by 20 plus early in the second half.
A barrage of points from the Norse came quickly, as a three from both Dilling and Pettus II aided in a 10-2 run for NKU to increase the lead to 73-45.
Two Pettus II layups would be the last NKU buckets for nearly three minutes, as all but one bucket in the last five minutes would come from free throws. Kentucky State would hit seven free throws to NKU’s three. However, the Norse didn’t sweat it, as they embraced a dominant 85-59 win for their first of the year.
8-25 shooting from the Thorobreds in the second half was forced by 14 second half turnovers and 10 steals from the Norse. NKU scored 18 paint points, 16 fast break points and 21 bench points all in the second half allowing them to maintain this dominant lead and propel themselves in the right path towards the win.
NKU will look to start a winning streak on Wednesday as they are on the road at the College of Charleston. Tip-off will be at 1 p.m.