Northern Kentucky rallies to beat Oakland 87-83

Jan 6, 2018, 04:56 am

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.

Jalen Tate made back-to-back baskets before Holland hit a jumper to make it 81-76 with 36 seconds left and the Norse made 6 of 6 free throws in the final 14 seconds to seal it.

Kendrick Nunn led the Golden Grizzlies with 24 points, Martez Walker scored 19 and Jalen Hayes 17.

NKU snapped a three-game skid, and is 9-9 all-time, against Oakland.