Cleveland State upsets top-seeded NKU, 89-80, in shocker at Horizon League Tournament

By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter

DETROIT — Just like last year, the Horizon League Tournament became an upsetting experience for the top seed in its opening game.

Only this time the victim was regular-season champion Northern Kentucky University, which suffered a stunning 89-80 defeat to eighth-seeded Cleveland State in the tournament quarterfinals Saturday night at Little Caesars Arena.

The loss eliminated NKU (22-9 overall record) from Motor City Madness, preventing the Norse from defending their Horizon League Tournament championship. Cleveland State (11-22 overall record) rallied from an early 15-point deficit to shock NKU, which had beaten the Vikings twice this season and four consecutive times during the past two years.

Cleveland State shot 56.7 percent from the field in the second half and put up 61 points during the final 20 minutes. Freshman guard Tyree Appleby netted 24 points for the Vikings, while teammate Stefan Kenic scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half.

“This was a terrific win for our team,” Cleveland State head coach Dennis Felton said. “I have so much respect for Northern Kentucky and their program. Whenever you play them, it’s going to be a challenging game because they have a lot of talent. That makes this win that much more gratifying, and we are thrilled to be able to play again and continue to compete for a championship.”

Drew McDonald scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead NKU, which shot 41.2 percent from the field. Carson Williams also collected a double-double for the Norse with 10 points and 10 rebounds. NKU finished just 5-for-24 from 3-point range, including 2-for-11 in the second half.

A year ago in the Horizon League Tournament, top-seeded Oakland fell to ninth-seeded Youngstown State, 81-80, in its opening game. NKU, the No. 4 seed last season, took advantage of Oakland’s early loss and won the tournament championship and the automatic NCAA bid.

The early exit also ended NKU’s hopes of making a repeat trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Norse entered Saturday’s game as a 13 ½-point favorite, but Cleveland State shook off a 21-6 deficit midway through the first half and trailed by just five points (33-28) at halftime.

NKU still owned a 75-74 lead with 2:46 remaining, but Cleveland State scored 10 consecutive points to take an 84-75 advantage with 1:02 left on the clock. Appleby and Kenic both knocked down 3-pointers during the spurt, while Kenny Carpenter converted a key basket while being fouled and then made the free throw.

Lavone Holland II added 15 points and five assists for NKU, while teammate Dantez Walton scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Norse finished with a 40-31 advantage on the boards.

Going into Saturday, NKU had won 30 of its previous 39 games against Horizon League opponents.

By winning the Horizon League regular-season title, NKU assured itself of an automatic berth in the NIT. Pairings for the NIT will be announced March 11.

“We won a regular-season title, and there’s a lot to be said for that,” NKU head coach John Brannen said. “And we still have a chance to play in another tournament next week.”