By Bert Leeson

3 7 2024

DAYTON, Ohio – For the fifth straight season under head coach Darrin Horn, the Northern Kentucky men’s basketball program is Indianapolis bound after NKU defeated Horizon League rival Wright State in an instant overtime classic, 99-97 at the Nutter Center on Thursday night.

It all came down to one of the most clutch plays you will ever see. The Norse trailed 89-87 with Trey Robinson on the line. Robinson missed his second free throw chance and Randall Pettus II made the best play so far this season as he battled for the offensive board and put up a floater that was good with just a second left on the clock to tie the game and force overtime. NKU then won the extra frame 10-8 to seal their trip to Indy for the conference semifinals on Monday.

THE FACTS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 99, Wright State – 97 (OT)
LOCATION: Nutter Center – Dayton, Ohio
RECORDS: NKU: 18-14 (12-8 HL), WSU: 18-14 (13-7 HL)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Marques Warrick got hot again as he dropped in 35 points, a game-high three steals and two rebounds. The Lexington, Kentucky native has now gone for 35-plus points in two straight games and is averaging 29.2 points over his last five contests.
– Trey Robinson stepped up once again with yet another double-double as he notched 17 points, 12 boards, three assists and a block. It was his fifth double-double of the year and his third overall in the last five games.
– Michael Bradley chipped in 17 points of his own to go along with four helpers, three rebounds and two steals.
– The star of the night, Randall Pettus II went off for 16 points, six boards, two assists and two swipes.
– LJ Wells added five points, five rebounds and two helpers.

NEXT UP
The Norse head to Indianapolis to take on Milwaukee in the Horizon League Semifinals, set for Monday, March 11 at the Indianapolis Farmers Coliseum. Tip is set for 9:30 PM ET and the game will be played in front of a national audience on ESPN2. For fans and supporters looking to make the trip to cheer on the Norse, tickets for the semifinal clash can be purchased here.

FOLLOW NKU NORSE MEN’S BASKETBALL
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky’s NCAA Division I college basketball team through @NKUNorseMBB on Twitter, @nkunorsembb on Instagram, nkunorsembb on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.

COURTESY NKU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS