By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
After playing four straight games away from home, Northern Kentucky University returns to action in BB&T Arena on Wednesday night when Berea College visits at 7 p.m.
Berea, which competes at the NCAA Division III level, is 3-0 going into Wednesday night’s game. NKU is 4-2 after dropping a hard-fought 76-74 decision at Memphis on Saturday night.
NKU’s Drew McDonald
Trailing by a point (75-74) with 22.1 seconds remaining in the game, NKU had a chance to regain the lead after Jimario Rivers missed a pair of free throws. The Norse’s Lavone Holland II drove into the lane, drew contact and attempted a tightly contested shot, which bounced off the rim and was rebounded by Memphis.
Jamal Johnson made one of two free throws with 5.3 seconds left to push the Memphis lead to 76-74. On NKU’s final possession, Holland II attempted a contested 3-pointer that was off target as the buzzer sounded.
THIS DATE IN NORSE HISTORY: On Nov. 29, 1993, current Norse head coach John Brannen scored 19 points and sparked Morehead State to an 85-79 victory over NKU at Morehead, Ky.
Johnnie Williams led the Eagles with 21 points, while Antoine Smith netted a game-high 26 points for NKU. Brannen converted nine free throws for Morehead State and drained a pair of 3-pointers. Tyrone Boardley and Mark Majick each added 14 points for Morehead State.
SPEAKING OF MOREHEAD STATE: NKU will play host to Morehead State at 7 p.m. Saturday. A year ago, Drew McDonald poured in 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead NKU to an 84-79 win at Morehead State. Jalen Tate added 13 points for NKU, which shot 61.9 percent from the field in the second half to pull out the win.
Morehead State owns a 7-2 lead in the all-time series with NKU.
Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com
