NKU men’s basketball kept the season alive with an 85-84 win at Oakland in the first round of the Horizon League tournament. Under Head Coach Darrin Horn, the Norse have never lost in the first round of the conference tournament. 

The first half was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams with seven lead changes, but the Norse came up with big defensive plays, including four blocks and three steals, to give them the 37-31 advantage at halftime. 

The second half was no breeze for the Norse as Oakland fought to make a comeback. 

After making seven of their last eight field goals, the Norse held a 14-point lead with just over two minutes left in the game. However, NKU had no answers for Oakland’s Brody Robinson, who drained four threes, scoring 14 points in the final two minutes and almost propelled the Grizzlies to a come-from-behind victory. But 20 fast-break points and just enough free throws in the second half allowed the Norse to sustain the lead.

The Norse move on to face Green Bay on Sunday in the second round of the Horizon League Tournament. 

Five players scored in double figures, with Donovan Oday taking the lead with 19 points on 7-11 shooting. Dan Gherezgher scored 17 points, Kael Robison recorded 14 points while leading the Norse in blocks with three. Tae Dozier tallied 10 points and a team-leading three steals. 

LJ Wells filled the stat sheet, scoring his sixth double-double of the season, while he led the Norse in rebounds with 11, adding four assists and two blocks.