The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team(20-4, 13-2 GLVC) extended their win streak to 11 closing out a perfect 12-0 record at the Bank of Kentucky Center this season after defeating Wisconsin-Parkside (6-19, 2-14 GLVC) 74-51on Senior Night Wednesday.

Sophomore guard Dustin Maguire sank five three-pointers in route to his 24 total points and was the only source of NKU’s offense for most of the first half.’ Senior Leslie Malone sat early with foul trouble but caught on fire in the second half scoring 18 of his 22 points and connecting on 91 percent of his shots while grabbing seven rebounds.

‘Malone made a conscious effort to use some ball screens and get to the hole and to his credit he was able to finish those shots,’ said NKU men’s basketball head coach Dave Bezold.

The Norse had a sluggish start, shooting only 37 percent from the field and 44 percent from the charity strike.’ Lightly contested layups would roll right off of the rim and jump shots couldn’t find their way into the basket.

‘Sometimes with the emotions of senior night it’s hard for them to concentrate and relax and just play,’ said Bezold. ‘I thought that was going on in the first half, we just couldn’t find our third or fourth gear.’

Seniors Leslie Malone, DeAaron Williams, A’Daeron Duncan, Billy Finnell, and David McFarland all played their final game in the Bank of Kentucky Center Wednesday.’

Malone, Williams, and Duncan, the self-proclaimed D Musketeers, have constructed a unique bond between themselves for the betterment of the team.

‘To fit their personalities in with how talented they are to be willing to give a lot of their personal egos to fit into the team, it’s been really special,’ Bezold said.

The Norse found their rhythm in the second half jumping their field goal percentage up to 62.’ Scott Bibbins and A’Daeron Duncan both tallied eight points with Bibbins dishing out four assists and grabbing four rebounds.

‘In the second half we found our groove and were able to shoot a better percentage and break the game open,’ said Bezold.

The Norse will play No. 2 ranked Bellarmine Thursday at Regents Hall at 7:45 p.m.’ When the Norse last travelled to Bellarmine on Jan. 2 they fell to the Knights 77-60.

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