Michael Weathers scored a game-high 31 points, including two on this dunk. (MVS/MRO) By MIKE SMITH
OXFORD, OH -- Drew McDonald and Lavone Holland II combined for 48 points to lead the Northern Kentucky Norse past Miami, 79-70, Sunday afternoon in Tarkett Sports Classic action at Millett Hall.
Both McDonald (23 points) and Holland (25 points) made the all-tournament team, along with Miami freshman Michael Weathers.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: CLICK PICTURES TO EXPAND)
Weathers scored a game-high 31 points to lead the RedHawks. However, the RedHawks had just one other player in double figures. Jake Wright hit three triples on the way to 11 points. Cole Murray, meanwhile, owned three triples and 11 points to account for NKU’s other double-figure scorer.
Both teams totaled , , ,
OXFORD, OH -- Drew McDonald and Lavone Holland II combined for 48 points to lead the Northern Kentucky Norse past Miami, 79-70, Sunday afternoon in Tarkett Sports Classic action at Millett Hall.
Both McDonald (23 points) and Holland (25 points) made the all-tournament team, along with Miami freshman Michael Weathers.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: CLICK PICTURES TO EXPAND)
Weathers scored a game-high 31 points to lead the RedHawks. However, the RedHawks had just one other player in double figures. Jake Wright hit three triples on the way to 11 points. Cole Murray, meanwhile, owned three triples and 11 points to account for NKU’s other double-figure scorer.
Both teams totaled , , ,
. . . 24 field goals overall, but three-point shooting was one of two areas which provided NKU with the winning edge. The Norse converted 9 of 21 (42.9%) trey attempts, while Miami made 5 of 19 (26.3%). The RedHawks made just 25 percent of their threes Saturday, but managed to pull out a 76-70 victory – their only win in the three-day event.
Abdoulaye Harounda scored six points and grabbed four rebounds against the Norse. (MVSmith/MRO) “We didn’t shoot the ball today particularly well from three, and we didn’t shoot the ball yesterday particularly well from three,” Miami head coach John Cooper said. “I think we’re a better shooting team than what we’ve showed in the past two days – no doubt,”
Another edge for NKU was at the foul line, where it capitalized on 22 of 29 (75.9%) shots. MU made 17 of 24 (70.8) opportunities at the stripe.
A pair of Michael Weathers layups, sandwiched around an Abdoulaye Harouna jumper gave Miami an early 6-0 lead. NKU settled in and fought back to grab a 9-8 lead. Although there were two ties, Northern Kentucky would not lead again until late in the period.
Miami, meanwhile, could not shake the visitors and never held more than a five point advantage after its opening lead. A 3-pointer by Holland at 4:36 finally moved the Norse in front, 26-24. They were able to expand the lead to six (34-28) by intermission.
Another edge for NKU was at the foul line, where it capitalized on 22 of 29 (75.9%) shots. MU made 17 of 24 (70.8) opportunities at the stripe.
A pair of Michael Weathers layups, sandwiched around an Abdoulaye Harouna jumper gave Miami an early 6-0 lead. NKU settled in and fought back to grab a 9-8 lead. Although there were two ties, Northern Kentucky would not lead again until late in the period.
Miami, meanwhile, could not shake the visitors and never held more than a five point advantage after its opening lead. A 3-pointer by Holland at 4:36 finally moved the Norse in front, 26-24. They were able to expand the lead to six (34-28) by intermission.
Jake Wright owned three of five Miami 3-point goals and totaled 11 points Sunday. (MVSmith/MRO) Carson Williams scored on a layup to start the second half, but MU whittled it down to one point, 38-37, following a Michael Weathers trey with 14:48 remaining. That was as close at Miami could get. By the 5:01 mark, Northern Kentucky had its only double-digit lead of the contest, 61-50, following a Holland triple.
Miami could not get any closer than four points (three times) after that. The last was 65-61 with 1:53 left. However, McDonald hit a jumper and Holland converted two free throws with 56 seconds to go. The Norse owned a nine-point victory at the final buzzer.
“Northern Kentucky is a hard prep in one day, just because of the way they run their offense,” Cooper said. “They do a good job with the action that they are running.”
Miami could not get any closer than four points (three times) after that. The last was 65-61 with 1:53 left. However, McDonald hit a jumper and Holland converted two free throws with 56 seconds to go. The Norse owned a nine-point victory at the final buzzer.
“Northern Kentucky is a hard prep in one day, just because of the way they run their offense,” Cooper said. “They do a good job with the action that they are running.”
Darius Harper draws a foul on his move to the basket. (MVSmith/MRO) NOTES AND QUOTES:
► NKU’s Holland averaged 15.3 ppg and 5.0 assists during the three-game tournament. McDonald averaged 24.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per tourney outing. He shot 48 percent from the field and 85 percent at the line.
► Miami’s Michael Weathers averaged 27.0 ppg. during the event. Cooper noted the freshman still has areas in which he can improve and needs to get stronger. “That will help him deal with a lot of contact.”
► Just five games into the season, opponents have already identified Miami’s point guard as a defensive focus point. Cooper said more players will be needed to contribute, especially from the junior class.
►Among that group, Cooper hopes to see a Rod Mills similar to what he produced at Wright State nearly a week ago.
“He doesn’t have to score 17 (like he did at Wright State), but that’s who we’ve got to have. He’s got to catch the ball and be confident and have a look of determination … from the very beginning.
► Northern Kentucky out-rebounded MU, 38-31. It was the fifth time in as many outings that NKU has won the rebounding battle.
► “I thought they got a tremendous lift on the threes from Cole Murray when he came in the game and hit them at crucial times,” Cooper said of the 6-7 Norse senior.
Murray scored all 11 of his points in the second half, including a trio of threes as he went 3 for 6 from the floor for the second straight game.
► One of the ways Cooper thinks his squad can get more balanced scoring is by taking advantage of opportunities.
“There were a couple of opportunities there where (we) … had good passes (and) guys don’t handle them or they bobble them or they are not able to finish the play. … You’ve got to be ready, because (Michael Weathers) is drawing so much attention right now offensively that there are going to be open people.”
► NKU’s Holland averaged 15.3 ppg and 5.0 assists during the three-game tournament. McDonald averaged 24.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per tourney outing. He shot 48 percent from the field and 85 percent at the line.
► Miami’s Michael Weathers averaged 27.0 ppg. during the event. Cooper noted the freshman still has areas in which he can improve and needs to get stronger. “That will help him deal with a lot of contact.”
► Just five games into the season, opponents have already identified Miami’s point guard as a defensive focus point. Cooper said more players will be needed to contribute, especially from the junior class.
►Among that group, Cooper hopes to see a Rod Mills similar to what he produced at Wright State nearly a week ago.
“He doesn’t have to score 17 (like he did at Wright State), but that’s who we’ve got to have. He’s got to catch the ball and be confident and have a look of determination … from the very beginning.
► Northern Kentucky out-rebounded MU, 38-31. It was the fifth time in as many outings that NKU has won the rebounding battle.
► “I thought they got a tremendous lift on the threes from Cole Murray when he came in the game and hit them at crucial times,” Cooper said of the 6-7 Norse senior.
Murray scored all 11 of his points in the second half, including a trio of threes as he went 3 for 6 from the floor for the second straight game.
► One of the ways Cooper thinks his squad can get more balanced scoring is by taking advantage of opportunities.
“There were a couple of opportunities there where (we) … had good passes (and) guys don’t handle them or they bobble them or they are not able to finish the play. … You’ve got to be ready, because (Michael Weathers) is drawing so much attention right now offensively that there are going to be open people.”
Marcus Weathers tries to get around Northern Kentucky's Cole Murray. (MVSmith/MRO) ► Among the freshmen on a very young Miami team is Marcus Weathers (twin brother of Michael). Cooper noted Marcus’ minutes increased during the tournament for a reason. “Marcus only takes three shots (in 26 minutes), but you (can tell) Marcus is in the game. He’s involved.”
The freshman scored three points and pulled down six rebounds (second best on the team) against NKU.
► Cooper saw a number of benefits from the three-games-in-three-days tournament. One was getting his young players experience.
“The puppies are playing and, quite frankly, they’re doing a pretty decent job.”
Another benefit was his team getting experience in close games. “The things we went through – late situations in games (over) the last two (sic) days, as much as you try to replicate that in practice, you just can’t do it.”
The freshman scored three points and pulled down six rebounds (second best on the team) against NKU.
► Cooper saw a number of benefits from the three-games-in-three-days tournament. One was getting his young players experience.
“The puppies are playing and, quite frankly, they’re doing a pretty decent job.”
Another benefit was his team getting experience in close games. “The things we went through – late situations in games (over) the last two (sic) days, as much as you try to replicate that in practice, you just can’t do it.”
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