Northern Kentucky Norse vs Youngstown State Penguins
N. Kentucky beats Youngstown St. 84-74 to advance
DETROIT -- Drew McDonald scored 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, LaVone Holland scored 20 and made all three of his 3-pointers and Northern Kentucky beat Youngstown State 84-74 Monday to advance to the Horizon League Championship game.
Leading 24-19, Northern Kentucky (23-10) used an 18-8 run in the final eight minutes of the first half and maintained control the rest of the way. Francisco Santiago's layup brought the Penguins to within 42-36 with 17:09 to play but couldn't draw closer. Youngstown State never led.
The Norse shot 31 for 62 including 13 for 27 from 3-point distance. Northern Kentucky now has won five straight and nine of its last 10. Mason Faulkner added 10 points.
Cameron Morse led Youngstown State (13-20) with 28 points, Santiago had 15 and Matt Donlan 14. Morse became the first Penguins player in its Division I-era to score more than 700 points in a season (711).
Game Information
Detroit, MI
Referee:Terry Wymer
Referee:Gene Steratore
Referee:Paul Szelc
2025-26 Standings
| Horizon LeagueHorizon League | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wright State | 15-5 | - | 23-12 |
| Robert Morris | 13-7 | 2 | 22-11 |
| Green Bay | 12-8 | 3 | 18-15 |
| Detroit Mercy | 12-8 | 3 | 17-15 |
| Oakland | 12-8 | 3 | 16-16 |
| Purdue Fort Wayne | 11-9 | 4 | 17-15 |
| Northern Kentucky | 10-10 | 5 | 20-14 |
| Youngstown State | 8-12 | 7 | 15-17 |
| Milwaukee | 8-12 | 7 | 12-20 |
| Cleveland State | 6-14 | 9 | 11-22 |
| IU Indianapolis | 3-17 | 12 | 7-25 |
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