#HLMBB Roundup: Jan. 5
Lance Rinker
TODAY’S RESULTS (Friday, Jan. 5)
Wright State 80, at Detroit Mercy 73
Northern Kentucky 87, at Oakland 83
(Jan. 5, 2018) — Northern Kentucky and Wright State each earned nationally-televised victories on Friday night, with both teams improving to 3-0 in Horizon League play. In a match-up that was televised on ESPN2, reigning tournament champion Northern Kentucky used a strong second half to upend last year’s regular-season champion, Oakland, by an 87-83 margin. Sophomore Carson Williams tallied 13 of his 21 points after halftime to help the Norse hand Oakland its first home loss of the season. Meanwhile, on ESPNU, Wright State staved off a second-half comeback by Detroit Mercy to best the Titans, 80-73. Freshman Loudon Love notched his fifth double-double of the season for Wright State (13 points, 14 rebounds), while teammate Grant Benzinger scored a game-high 23 points on 7-of-15 shooting (6-12 3FG).
Benzinger scores 23 points, Wright State wins 80-73
(Courtesy of the Associated Press) —
DETROIT — Grant Benzinger made a career-tying six 3-pointers and scored 23 points and Wright State held off Detroit Mercy for an 80-73 victory on Friday night. Benzinger was 6 of 12 from the arc, leading a 9-of-20 3-point showing for the Raiders (11-5, 3-0 Horizon League). Cole Gentry added a career-high 14 points and freshman Loudon Love 13 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for his fifth double-double. Tariq Jones came off the bench to score 15 points and grab nine rebounds, both career highs, for the Titans (4-12, 0-3). Kameron Chatman added 13 points and 12 rebounds for his sixth double-double this season.
Full recap to follow on WSURaiders.com.
Northern Kentucky rallies to beat Oakland 87-83
(Courtesy of the Associated Press) —
ROCHESTER, Mich. — Carson Williams and Lavone Holland II combined to score 24 of their 40 points in the second half and Jordan Garnett had all of his 10 points after the break to help Northern Kentucky rally for an 87-83 win over Oakland on Friday night. Williams finished with 21 points, on 8-of-13 shooting, and nine rebounds and Holland, who missed eight of 11 first-half shots, scored 11 second-half points on 5-of-9 shooting. Jeff Garrett made 5 of 6 from the field and scored 11 points in seven minutes for Northern Kentucky (10-5, 3-0 Horizon League). Oakland (9-7, 1-2) opened a 12-point lead late in the first half and led 47-41 at the break. Williams scored eight points and Garnett hit back-to-back 3-pointers before Holland hit a jumper to give the Norse a five-point lead with 15 minutes to go -- its first since midway through the first half. Garnett's dunk extended the lead to 73-64 with 8:45 to go and Northern Kentucky held on, despite going without a field goal while committing three turnovers over the next six minutes.
Full recap to follow on NKUNorse.com.
UPCOMING SLATE
Saturday, Jan. 6
Milwaukee at Cleveland State (3:30 PM ET – ESPN3)
Green Bay at Youngstown State (7:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Sunday, Jan. 7
Northern Kentucky at Detroit Mercy (2:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Wright State at Oakland (3:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Wednesday, Jan. 10
Cleveland State at Detroit Mercy (7:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Milwaukee at IUPUI (7:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Youngstown State at Oakland (7:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
Green Bay at UIC (8:00 PM ET – ESPN3)
MOTOR CITY MADNESS
The 2018 Little Caesars Horizon League Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championship will take place March 2-6 at the brand new Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich.
Tickets can be purchased now at campus box offices or at
HorizonLeague.com.
Little Caesars Arena is located in the heart of The District Detroit, a 50-block, mixed-use development that unites eight world-class theaters, five neighborhoods and three professional sports venues in one vibrant, walkable destination for people who want to live, work and play in an exciting urban environment. Home to the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions — The District Detroit represents the greatest density of professional sports teams in one downtown core in the country.