The Northern Kentucky University Men’s Basketball team won the Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division for the second year in a row after improving its record to 14-5 in the conference by defeating Lewis University 88-78, March 1.

NKU finished the regular season tied with Kentucky Wesleyan at 14-5 in the GLVC, but the Norse claimed the No. 1 spot based on their 2-0 record against Wesleyan during the regular season.

The regular season finale against Lewis was highlighted by a career performance from (year) Harrison Morton, who scored 27 points and had nine rebounds. Morton was nearly perfect on the night, finishing 9-for-10 from the floor and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. As a team, NKU shot nearly 60 percent en route to its 20th victory of the season, making this the team’s second 20-win season in a row.

NKU relied on the three-pointers to build its initial lead, making five in the first four minutes to get a quick 17-6 lead. In the second half, the Norse lengthened their lead to as much as 23 points before securing a 10 point win.

“It’s a great feeling to repeat as GLVC East champions, and we did it against a very good Lewis team that never quit,” NKU Head Coach Dave Bezold said. “Harrison Morton was very aggressive and continued his outstanding play.”

Next for NKU is the GLVC tournament, where the team is seeded No.1 in the top half of the bracket and will play at home against the same Lewis University in the first round. Barring a victory by Bellarmine over the No. 1 overall seed, Drury, in the bottom half of the bracket, the match-up with Lewis will be the last men’s basketball game at Regents Hall.