Wildcats Can't Hold Late Lead In Kentucky, 74-69
LOUISVILLE, Ky.---Northern Michigan University Men's Basketball took on the University of Southern Indiana in the first game of the Bellarmine University Classic in Kentucky on Tuesday. The Wildcats had a 68-62 lead late in the game, but fell to the Screaming Eagles, 74-69. Isaiah Johnson had 24 points to lead the Wildcats, including a 10-11 showing from the free throw line. Junior Sam Taylor (Chicago, Ill.) chipped in with nine points and had two steals. Redshirt freshman Troy Summers (Grayling, Mich.) posted eight points. Junior Myles Howard (Chicago, Ill.) notched two blocks.
USI responded with a layup to tie the game, and added two free throws but Summers made a layup and a jumper to put NMU back on top 18-16. The Eagles then scored five points before Echols made a layup to make it 21-20 at the 7:51 mark. USI scored five points again to pull ahead before junior Marcus Matelski (Boyne Falls, Mich.) made a three and Echols followed with another three-pointer and put the Wildcats ahead 26-25. The Eagles responded with six straight points and held a 31-26 lead with two minutes to go. Johnson hit two free throws but USI added a free throw and a jumper to take a 34-28 lead into the break.
A minute later, Johnson made a layup to follow an Eagle score with 5:05 on the clock. The Wildcats would add a free throw but USI was able to pull ahead and took a 74-69 victory. |