HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Craig Sanders scored 16 points Saturday afternoon as the Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team defeated Lewis University, 72-67, in Regents Hall.

Sanders – a graduate of McNicholas High School – also set an NKU record by scoring in double figures for the 40th consecutive game as the Norse improved to 15-5 overall, 11-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. NKU is now in sole possession of second place in the GLVC.

Brenden Stowers made a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining to give the Norse a 69-65 lead. Sanders added a free throw with seven seconds left to extend NKU’s advantage to 70-65, and he sealed the victory by rebounding his missed free throw and hitting a short jumper.

After Sanders’ basket gave NKU a 72-65 lead, Sammy Bacino made a layup at the buzzer to account for the final margin. Bacino scored 18 points to lead Lewis, which has not won in Regents Hall since the 1992-93 season.

Phil Taylor added 15 points for the Flyers, who dropped to 15-5 overall, 10-4 in the GLVC.

Stowers added 14 points and four assists for NKU, which made 85.7 percent of its free throws. Darnell Fields – who scored five key points during an 18-11 run to begin the second half – finished with 11 points and five rebounds.

NKU will travel to Rensselaer, Ind., this Thursday night for an 8:45 p.m. game against Saint Joseph’s College.