NKyTribune staff
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Trevon Faulkner scored 11 points in overtime, including a pair of game-clinching free throws with five seconds remaining, as Northern Kentucky rallied from a 17-point deficit to post a 79-74 win at Robert Morris on Saturday night.
Faulkner hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring in overtime and went on a personal 9-1 run during the first 4:13 of the extra session to put NKU in front 75-67. Robert Morris eventually cut the NKU lead to 77-74 with five seconds left on the clock, but Faulkner converted two free throws to seal the win and give the Norse a two-game sweep of the weekend series.
Trevon Faulkner scored 18 points to lead NKU past Robert Morris on Saturday night. (Photo by Jeff McCurry)
Faulkner led NKU with 18 points, all coming in the second half and overtime. He converted all 10 of his free-throw attempts and also dished out five assists. NKU improved to 7-8 overall, 5-5 in the Horizon League.
NKU freshman Marques Warrick scored 17 points, adding five rebounds and three assists. Adrian Nelson shot 5-for-5 from the field and finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Bryson Langdon also added 13 points, and Adham Eleeda provided a massive spark off the NKU bench with 12 points — all coming via the 3-point shot.
Robert Morris (3-7 overall, 2-5 Horizon League) bolted out to a 24-7 lead and appeared on its way to running away from the visitors. Eleeda, however, hit a trio of 3-pointers to ignite an NKU rally that cut the deficit to 38-34 at halftime.
The Colonials owned a 66-64 lead late in regulation, but Langdon’s backdoor layup off an assist from Nelson evened the score at 66-all in the final seconds. Faulkner then took control during the overtime, lifting NKU to the victory.
AJ Bramah registered his fourth double-double in the last five games, leading the way for Robert Morris with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Faulkner continued his streak of double-digit scoring performances. He has now done so in 16 straight games dating back to last season.
Nelson converted 11-of-12 shots and averaged 12.5 points per contest during the weekend series. In the past six games, Nelson is 25-for-28 from the field for a blistering 89 percent shooting percentage.
Eleeda’s 12 points on the evening mark the third double-figure scoring output of the season for the senior. He scored 10 points in the season opener against Ball State and later netted a career-high 18 in points against Youngstown State.
NKU plays host to Illinois-Chicago next weekend at BB&T Arena. Friday’s game is slated to tip off at 6 p.m., while Saturday’s contest is set for 5 p.m.
(Information compiled from NKU Athletics Communications and staff reports)
