Northern Kentucky downs UMBC 78-60 behind McDonald
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Drew McDonald scored 21 points with three 3-pointers, Dantez Walton added a career-high 19 points with four assists, and Northern Kentucky pulled away with a 30-2 first-half run to beat UMBC 78-60 on Friday night.
Tyler Sharpe scored 14 points with three 3s and Zaynah Robinson had 10 points with six assists for the Norse (8-1), who shot 55 percent to UMBC's 34 percent.
Joe Sherburne's jumper capped UMBC's opening 19-9 run, but the Retrievers went cold for 4:24 and the Norse pulled ahead 27-21 with a 22-5 run capped by Walton's layup. Sharpe and McDonald hit consecutive 3s and Northern Kentucky led 39-21 at halftime after outscoring UMBC 30-2 over the final 8:36.
Walton and Robinson combined for 12 points in a 12-2 run, McDonald's 3 put the Norse up 61-34 with 13:15 to play and Northern Kentucky was never threatened.
Brandon Horvath scored 19 points, making 12 of 17 free throws, and Sherburne added 18 points for UMBC (4-4).
Game Information
- Referees:
- Ron Tyburski
- Kelly Pfeifer
- Donnie Eppler
2024-25 America East Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant | 6-0 | - | 12-9 |
| Maine | 5-1 | 1 | 13-8 |
| Vermont | 4-2 | 2 | 11-10 |
| UMass Lowell | 3-3 | 3 | 14-7 |
| UMBC | 3-3 | 3 | 11-10 |
| UAlbany | 3-4 | 3.5 | 11-11 |
| New Hampshire | 2-5 | 4.5 | 4-18 |
| Binghamton | 1-5 | 5 | 9-12 |
| NJIT | 1-5 | 5 | 4-17 |
2024-25 Horizon League Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland State | 10-1 | - | 16-6 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 8-3 | 2 | 15-7 |
| Milwaukee | 8-3 | 2 | 15-7 |
| Robert Morris | 7-4 | 3 | 15-7 |
| Youngstown State | 7-4 | 3 | 13-9 |
| Oakland | 6-5 | 4 | 9-13 |
| Wright State | 5-6 | 5 | 11-11 |
| Northern Kentucky | 4-6 | 5.5 | 9-12 |
| IU Indianapolis | 3-8 | 7 | 7-15 |
| Detroit Mercy | 2-9 | 8 | 6-16 |
| Green Bay | 0-11 | 10 | 2-20 |
Men's College Basketball News
