By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
Looking for a way to gauge how Northern Kentucky compares to Wright State on the basketball court this season? Then keep an eye on Tuesday night’s outcome between NKU and Miami (Ohio).
The tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Millett Hall in Oxford. Miami is 4-3 entering the game, but two of the RedHawks’ losses have come against Wright State. NKU and Wright State are expected to again battle for the Horizon League championship, and the Norse are currently 5-3.
NKU took unbeaten Arkansas to the final seconds on Saturday before dropping a 66-60 decision. Holding a 62-60 lead, the Razorbacks watched as Adham Eleeda’s potential go-ahead 3-pointer rimmed out with 14 seconds remaining.
Dantez Walton leads NKU in scoring (16.6 points per game) and rebounding (7.0 rpg). He was named Horizon League Player of the Week on Monday. (Photo by Jeff McCurry)
Dantez Walton scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead NKU against Arkansas. On Monday, Walton was named Horizon League Player of the Week. It’s the second straight week the native of Lima, Ohio, has earned the honor.
Walton is the only player in Division I basketball this season to record 30-point double-doubles twice. In addition to his 30/10 game at Arkansas, Walton posted a career-high 33 points and grabbed 10 boards against Coppin State.
Walton enters Tuesday night leading NKU in both scoring (16.6 points per game) and rebounding (7.0 rpg). Trevon Faulkner, who netted 14 points against Arkansas, is averaging 12.8 points per game. Tyler Sharpe is scoring 12.5 ppg for the Norse.
NKU is 2-0 all-time against Miami (Ohio), including a 72-66 victory at BB&T Arena last season. The Norse are 9-3 all-time against Mid-American Conference teams.
Miami is led offensively by Nike Sibande’s 16.6 points per game. Dalonte Brown contributes 13.6 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds per game for the RedHawks.
TURNER RECEIVES HONOR: NKU’s Ivy Turner has been named the Horizon League Freshman of the Week for women’s basketball after averaging 12.7 points per game in three wins. Turner shot 55 percent from the field and also averaged 5.3 rebounds per game.
The NKU women play host to nationally ranked Louisville on Sunday at 2 p.m. Louisville is coached by former NKU men’s basketball player and Highlands High School graduate Jeff Walz.
The Cardinals knocked off top-ranked Oregon last week during a tournament in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com and follow him on Twitter at @dontribunesport
