Northern Kentucky Norse at Northern Illinois Huskies
· NCAA Men's Basketball
88 - 85
Northern Kentucky holds off Northern Illinois in 2OT, 88-85
Northern Illinois got off a final shot from half court, but it was no good.
The Huskies used a 9-0 run over the final 2:47 to secure a 35-27 halftime advantage, but the Norse took the lead after a 14-0 run to take the lead and went ahead 62-58 with under three minutes left after a 7-0 run.
Dante Thorp hit a 3-pointer for the Norse with :14 left in regulation to tie the game at 65-65 and force the first overtime.
Northern Illinois started the first overtime with a 6-0 run, but the Norse answered with 3s from Robinson on back-to-back possessions to even the game with :43 left. Drew McDonald's layup tied the game at 75-75 with :15 left to force a second extra period.
Robinson hit two free throws with to put the Norse up, 88-85 with :05 left and Northern Illinois missed again from half court.
McDonald finished with 28 points and 14 rebounds for Northern Kentucky (2-0). Dantez Walton and Tyler Sharpe each added 16 points.
Levi Bradley and Thorpe scored 25 and 24 points, respectively, for Northern Illinois.
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Recent Plays
| 4th 0:00 | End of Game | 88 - 85 |
| 4th 0:00 | End of 2nd overtime | 88 - 85 |
| 4th 0:02 | Northern Kentucky Defensive Rebound. | 88 - 85 |
| 4th 0:02 | Levi Bradley missed Three Point Jumper. | 88 - 85 |
| 4th 0:05 | Zaynah Robinson made Free Throw. | 88 - 85 |
Statistics
 NKU |
 NIU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 30-61 | FG | 31-76 |
| 49 | Field Goal % | 41 |
| 14-33 | 3PT | 6-23 |
| 42 | Three Point % | 26 |
| 14-27 | FT | 17-23 |
| 52 | Free Throw % | 74 |
| 40 | Rebounds | 46 |
| 7 | Offensive Rebounds | 15 |
| 33 | Defensive Rebounds | 31 |
| 15 | Assists | 12 |
| 7 | Steals | 3 |
| 3 | Blocks | 3 |
| 13 | Turnovers | 14 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 13 | Total Turnovers | 14 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 17 | Points Off Turnovers | 12 |
| 11 | Fast Break Points | 14 |
| 26 | Points in Paint | 34 |
| 25 | Fouls | 26 |
| 7 | Largest Lead | 11 |
Game Information
Location: Dekalb, IL
Attendance: 895 | Capacity:
2025-26 Horizon League Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | 15-5 | - | 23-12 |
| Robert Morris | 13-7 | 2 | 22-11 |
| Green Bay | 12-8 | 3 | 18-15 |
| Detroit Mercy | 12-8 | 3 | 17-15 |
| Oakland | 12-8 | 3 | 16-16 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 11-9 | 4 | 17-15 |
| Northern Kentucky | 10-10 | 5 | 20-14 |
| Youngstown State | 8-12 | 7 | 15-17 |
| Milwaukee | 8-12 | 7 | 12-20 |
| Cleveland State | 6-14 | 9 | 11-22 |
| IU Indianapolis | 3-17 | 12 | 7-25 |