Northern Kentucky overwhelms YSU

Staff report

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.

Drew Mc Donald had his 15th double-double of the season with 27 points and 12 rebounds to help Northern Kentucky beat Youngstown State 70-51 on Monday night.

Jordan Garnett and Carson Williams added 10 points apiece for Northern Kentucky (20-8, 13-3 Horizon League).

McDonald hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cap a 9-0 run that made it 19-15 midway through the first half and the Norse led the rest of the way.

Cameron Morse made a layup to trim Youngstown State’s deficit to six points with 7:21 to play, but McDonald answered with a jumper and then converted a 3-point play to spark an 18-5 run over the final seven-plus minutes.

The Penguins missed seven of their last eight field-goal attempts, including all six 3-point shots.

Morse was the only Youngstown State (8-21, 6-10) player to score in double figures, finishing with 11 points and eight assists.

Northern Kentucky made 17 of 23 free throws, while the Penguins hit just 6 of 13.

The Norse remain tied with Wright State atop the conference standings with two games to play, but the Raiders swept the season series to hold the tie breaker.

UIC 94, Detroit Mercy 87

CHICAGO

Marcus Ottey and Dikembe Dixson had 20 points each and UIC held off Detroit Mercy.

The Flames (17-12, 12-4 Horizon League) pulled away with a 21-5 run to lead 84-67 on Clint Robinson’s layup with 5:14 left. The Titans (8-21, 4-12) cut the deficit to seven at 89-82 and at the final score.

Jordan Blount added 15 points and 10 rebounds for UIC, which is a game behind league leaders, Wright State and Northern Kentucky. The Flames’ 12 Horizon League wins are the most in conference play since the 2003-04 squad, which was the last to play in the NCAA Tournament.

Kameron Chatman was 4 of 8 from 3-point range and had 30 points and nine rebounds to lead the Titans.