Northern Kentucky defeats Purdue Fort Wayne 87-71

The Northern Kentucky Norse dominated the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 87-71, with LJ Wells leading the charge with 29 points and 5 assists. This win marked a much-needed bounce-back for Northern Kentucky, who had lost 3 of their last 5 games, including a 77-90 loss to Detroit Mercy. In that 5-game stretch, they averaged 75.4 points per game, but allowed 79.2 points, resulting in a -3.8 point differential. However, against Purdue Fort Wayne, they were able to flip the script, outscoring their opponents by 16 points. The Norse's 42-point first half set the tone for the game, as they shot 53.8% from the field and 45.5% from three, making 5 of their 11 attempts.

As the game progressed, it became clear that Northern Kentucky's offense was too much for Purdue Fort Wayne to handle. The Mastodons, who had averaged 70.8 points per game over their last 5 games, were only able to manage 33 points in the first half, shooting 39.3% from the field and 25% from three, making just 2 of their 8 attempts. DeAndre Craig Jr. was the lone bright spot for Purdue Fort Wayne, scoring 24 points and grabbing 5 rebounds. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the Norse's balanced attack, which saw three players score in double figures. Donovan Oday added 12 points, while Dan Gherezgher chipped in with 13 points. The Norse's 45-point second half was more of the same, as they continued to move the ball and find open shooters, making 7 of their 14 three-point attempts.

LJ Wells was the star of the show, hitting big shots and making plays when it mattered most. He scored 17 of his 29 points in the second half, including 3 three-pointers, to help the Norse pull away. Meanwhile, DeAndre Craig Jr. did his best to keep Purdue Fort Wayne in the game, but his supporting cast was unable to provide much help. Corey Hadnot II added 20 points, but the Mastodons' bench was outscored 15-6 by the Norse. Mikale Stevenson, who had been a key contributor for Purdue Fort Wayne all season, was held to just 6 points and 6 rebounds, a far cry from his usual production. The Norse's ability to limit Stevenson's impact was a key factor in their victory, as they were able to focus their defensive efforts on Craig Jr. and Hadnot II.

As the final buzzer sounded, it was clear that CHD Scout's prediction of a Northern Kentucky win by 8.7 points was on the money. The Norse's 16-point victory margin was a reflection of their dominance, and it's clear that they were the better team on this night.

The prediction was correct, and it's easy to see why. Northern Kentucky's offense, which had been struggling to find consistency, finally clicked into gear. They moved the ball well, found open shooters, and made shots when it mattered most. On the other hand, Purdue Fort Wayne's defense, which had been a strength all season, was unable to slow down the Norse. The Mastodons allowed 87 points, their second-highest total of the season, and were unable to come up with the stops they needed to get back in the game. The Norse's ability to exploit Purdue Fort Wayne's defensive weaknesses was a key factor in their victory, as they were able to get easy baskets in transition and make shots from beyond the arc.

The win is a big one for Northern Kentucky, who had been trending in the wrong direction. With the victory, they improved to 17-11 on the season, and more importantly, they got back on track after a tough stretch. The Norse had lost 3 of their last 5 games, but this win should give them some much-needed momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. They want to build on this performance, which saw them shoot 51.9% from the field and 45.8% from three, making 11 of their 24 attempts. Purdue Fort Wayne, on the other hand, fell to 15-13, and their tournament hopes took a hit. The Mastodons had been averaging 70.8 points per game over their last 5 games, but they were only able to manage 71 points against the Norse.

The loss is a significant blow to Purdue Fort Wayne's tournament chances. With the defeat, they fell to 15-13 on the season, and their NET ranking dropped to 249. The Mastodons had been hovering around the bubble, but this loss makes it unlikely that they will be able to sneak into the tournament. On the other hand, Northern Kentucky's win improved their NET ranking to 198, and they are now firmly in the mix for a tournament bid. The Norse's quad 4 win over Purdue Fort Wayne was a big one, and it should give them a boost in the eyes of the selection committee. With 5 games remaining on their schedule, the Norse want to build on this performance and make a push for the tournament. They must continue to play at a high level, particularly on the defensive end, where they held Purdue Fort Wayne to 43.1% shooting from the field and 30.8% from three.

The Northern Kentucky Norse's 87-71 win over the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons was a statement victory, and it showed that they are a team to be reckoned with in the Horizon League. With their 17-11 record, they are now in a good position to make a push for the tournament, and their quad 4 win over Purdue Fort Wayne was a big step in the right direction. The Norse want to build on this performance, which saw them outscore the Mastodons by 16 points, and make a run in the conference tournament. As for Purdue Fort Wayne, they must regroup and refocus if they want to make a push for the tournament. With 5 games remaining on their schedule, the Mastodons must win out and get some help from other teams in order to have a chance at sneaking into the tournament. The loss to Northern Kentucky was a tough one, but they want to bounce back and make a run in the conference tournament.