NKU men’s basketball welcomed Horizon League leader Cleveland State to Truist Arena on a rainy Wednesday night. CSU came into the game on the third longest win streak in the nation at 13 games, trying to make it a program best 14 games as they battled the Norse.
Dylan Arnett scored for the Vikings to start the scoring. Tevin Smith followed that up with a bank shot to secure a four-point edge for CSU. Josh Dilling got the ball rolling for NKU as he knocked down a three. Tahj Staveskie and Dilling matched each other with three pointers for their teams.
The first four minutes was capped off with the lead changing hands from NKU to CSU as Trey Robinson’s score was immediately matched by a Reece Robinson three for a 10-8 Vikings lead.
Arnett kept plugging away with big time baskets. Dan Gherezgher kept NKU in it with six points of his own. After another Arnett score, the Norse went on a 7-0 run to gain momentum. Cole Franklin found some space in the paint to respond and cut the deficit down to 21-16.
Ebrima Dibba cut it to three with a floater. NKU hit another groove and another 7-0 run to go up nine. LJ Wells and Gherezgher knocked down timely shots to keep the lead, but momentum swung CSU’s way as a pair of Smith threes and an Arnett hook shot trimmed the Norse lead to 32-26.
Gherezgher and Wells were the only Norse to score in the stretch before halftime. That gave an opening to gain some traction for CSU as Arnett continued to control the paint and Staveskie sank a jumper. An unexpected mid-range shot from KJ Debrick was the last shot in the half and the one to tie it at 36.
NKU came out of the locker room hot with a 6-0 run. Staveskie and Sam Vinson went back to back with mid-range baskets.
Robinson scored on a contested layup for NKU, but an immediate response was found in Arnett scoring in the lane. Dilling found the bottom of the net with a three-pointer to give NKU the 49-42 lead only four minutes into the half.
CSU didn’t go away as Chase Robinson connected on a three to cut the deficit to four. The Vikings stuck in striking distance but layups from Wells and Gherzgher and a floater from Robinson reset the seven point lead at 56-49.
CSU again punched back with a 4-0 run. Another timely DIlling three and Wells layup ballooned the lead back to eight before a Smith mid-range make cut the Vikings deficit to 61-55.
The next stretch saw CSU only score six points as NKU began to take full control of the game. The guards continued pouring in points as Gherezgher, Vinson and Dilling added to their totals. The front court joined in on the action, finding big plays by way of thunderous dunks from Wells and Keeyan Itejere. The avalanche stopped there for the moment as NKU held a 72-61 advantage.
CSU rallied for one last comeback attempt getting paint points from Arnett and Chase Robinson. NKU held steady throughout, knocking down key free throws. The game was sealed by Gherezgher, who made his fifth three of the night to finish off his impressive 26-point performance.
NKU settled the final tally at 85-75 and ruined the hopes of CSU to get their program-best 14th consecutive win.
Vinson finished the game with four steals which moved him into second all-time in NKU steals history. He credited the team with making this possible for him.
“Defense wins games and the way we play, if you’re in the right position it’s pretty easy to get steals as long as you play aggressive. So that means a lot to be second all-time,” he said.
NKU finished with five double digit scorers. NKU Head Coach Darrin Horn said he is pleased with the all-around effort.
“There were some real bright spots with how Dan Gherzgher played and Sam [Vinson] to impact the game in so many different ways. A top to bottom effort,” Horn said. “I’m just happy for our guys that they’re playing with a great level of confidence and togetherness and making plays on both ends of the floor.”
NKU moves to seventh in the Horizon League at 6-7 and will play the fourth-placed Robert Morris Colonials at home on Saturday. The tip-off is set for 2 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.