Northern Kentucky secured a season-defining Horizon League victory Friday night, outlasting Wright State 80-76 in a tension-filled conference matchup. Sophomore guard Dan Gherezgher Jr. delivered clutch plays down the stretch, finishing with 17 points and 3 three-pointers to keep the Norse’s postseason hopes alive.
The Norse (13-15, 8-9) showcased balanced scoring with four players in double digits:
- Dan Gherezgher Jr.: 17 PTS | 46% FG | +12 +/-
- Josh Dilling: 16 PTS | 5 REB | 4-6 FT
- Sam Vinson: 14 PTS | 6 REB | 85% FG
Wright State’s Brandon Noah dominated the paint with a 22-point, 11-rebound double-double, but critical turnovers in the final two minutes stalled the Raiders’ comeback. “We needed this win to control our tournament destiny,” Northern Kentucky coach Darrin Horn later told press.
With the Horizon League Tournament looming, both teams face must-win scenarios next week. Northern Kentucky hosts IU Indianapolis on Sunday, while Wright State battles Cleveland State Thursday in a game that could decide final seeding.