Northern Kentucky Holds Off ETSU, Evens A-Sun Record

Northern Kentucky 70

East Tennessee State 68

Final from Johnson City, Tennessee

Game recap by NKU:

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Eshaunte Jones poured in 25 points, including a 3-pointer while being fouled with 26.7 seconds left in the game, as Northern Kentucky University held on for a 70-68 victory over East Tennessee State on Thursday night.

Jones made a career-high seven 3-pointers for Northern Kentucky, which improved to 7-11 overall, 5-5 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. His final trey, which banked in after he was fouled taking the shot from the left wing, resulted in a four-point play that extended a 66-65 Norse lead to 70-65.

"I did not mean to bank it in at all, but the shot clock was winding down and I had a good look,” Jones said. “The defender hit me just as I released it, and thankfully it went in.”

Rashawn Rembert buried a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left to cut the Northern Kentucky lead to 70-68. After a Norse turnover with 10 seconds left, East Tennessee State had a final chance to tie or win, but Jarvis Jones missed a driving layup, and Northern Kentucky's Stretch Watson pulled down the rebound as time expired.

The Norse drained five consecutive 3-point shots early in the second half as part of an 18-7 run that turned a 31-28 deficit at the break into a 46-38 lead with 12:31 remaining in the game. Jack Flournoy knocked down a trio of 3-pointers to ignite the Norse second-half spurt.

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