Welcome to the Tip-off in Highland Heights! NKU takes the home court for the first time this year.

Ethan Elliott is not playing tonight.

Starting 5 for NKU:

• Willie Foster
• Donovan Rakotonanahary
• Noah Pagotto
• Eric Acker
• BJ Davis Ray

Starting 5 for CMU:

• Phat Phat Brooks
• Keenan Garner
• Jalen Kampen
• Jaxson Whitaker
• Conrad Luczynski

Ethan Elliot is wearing street clothes and will not participate today for the Norse

Norse elect to bring early pressure to the top of the key, immediately force a turnover and get a Foster layup in transition

18:18 – NKU 2 / Central Michigan 5

CMU brings out the half court trap. The Chippewas are doing everything they can to not let NKU settle into their perimeter offense and force the Norse to distribute the ball in the paint.

16:53 – NKU 4 / Central Michigan 7

Norse are 1 for 5 from the field, need to figure out the half court trap to settle into the offense

U16 timeout – NKU 6 / Central Michigan 7

Foster leads the Norse with all 6 points

13:54 – NKU 8 / Central Michigan 10

Central Michigan is 1-4 from the field in their last 4 attempts, NKU is trending with a 5-0 run

12:40 – NKU 11 / Central Michigan 10

The Norse have 6 steals in 8 minutes of play, they’re doing excellent generating offense

11:14 – NKU 13 / Central Michigan 12

Pagotto has been tremendous down on the block anchoring the defense for the Norse. He’s also on an offensive run with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and a huge block down low

8:29 – NKU 17 / Central Michigan 17

We’re tied up, Pagotto is still making his presence felt down low. He’s up to 8 points

6:14 – NKU 19 / Central Michigan 17

Central Michigan is scoreless in the last 2 minutes of play, the Norse have found a spark defensively. 9 forced turnovers, and 8 steals for the Norse with 5 minutes to go

On the floor for the Norse: Ray-Davis, Jokubauskas, Acker, Rakotonanahary, Shortt

3:42 – NKU 23 / Central Michigan 22

Scoring drought for NKU, 1 of 7 from the field

2:33 – NKU 26 / Central Michigan 22

Huge Willie Foster three from the top of the key to give the Norse a boost. He’s got 9 points

HALFTIME – NKU 26 / Central Michigan 22

Willie Foster 9 points, 3/5 FG, 1/1 3pt, 1 assist, 1 steal
Noah Pagotto 8 points, 4/8 FG, 3 rebounds, 2 assists,2 steals

The Norse have forced 11 turnovers and 8 steals against the Chippewas. 18 points in the paint.

2H Thread:

15:15 – NKU 32 / Central Michigan 29

The Chippewas come out of the break hot, going on a 7-1 run. Conrad Luczynski had five of the seven. The Norse respond with four quick points.

11:58 – NKU 32 / Central Michigan 38

Chippewas come out of the timeout with a 9-0 run. NKU needs to turn this one around quickly.

7:59 – NKU 42 / Central Michigan 44

Norse stop the bleeding with a layup from Will Shortt. Willie Foster with a lay, CMU now leads by four. Foster again, CMU by two.

5:02 – NKU 48 / Central Michigan 50

Eric Acker ties the game up at 44. The two teams are trading buckets at the moment, it’s currently 50-48 CMU.

2:32 – NKU 54 / Central Michigan 58

The Chippewa lead is up to six. Foster drives and scores, he’s got 21. This game is going to come down to the wire.

FINAL – NKU 57 / Central Michigan 68

Jayson Petty nails a three to put CMU up seven. Northern Kentucky has entered the fouling portion of the game, hoping for missed FTs. Keenan Gamer nails both for CMU. Phat Phat Brooks hits two more. The Chippewas have hit their free throws late, meaning they’ll take this one.

Sansom Sports Media will have a recap of today’s game out later tonight.