Northern Kentucky defeats Idaho men for second time in a month

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Tayler Persons scored 23 points against Idaho for the second time this year and Northern Kentucky beat the Vandals for the second time, pulling away for an 81-68 men’s basketball win on Monday.

The Norse (6-6) won at Idaho (5-6) 79-74 during the Thanksgiving break.

Mike Scott led Idaho with 25 points, 21 in the first half. Connor Hill added 14 and Sekou Wiggs 12.

Anthony Monaco came off the bench to hit 4 of 7 3-pointers and all five of his free throws for a career-high 17 points for Northern Kentucky.

Wiggs had two free throws and a jumper to put Idaho up 42-41 but White led an 8-0 burst that gave Northern Kentucky a 71-61 lead with 5:43 left. The Norse hit eight free throws down the stretch.

No. Kentucky 81, Idaho 68

 Idaho (5-6) — Wiggs 3-13 6-6 12, Hill 5-14 2-2 14, M. Scott 8-15 6-7 25, Seck 4-7 0-0 8, Mpawe 1-3 0-2 2, Callandret 0-6 0-0 0, Sanders 0-1 0-0 0, Mkrtychyan 2-6 3-4 7, George 0-0 0-0 0, J. Scott 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-66 17-21 68.

Northern Kentucky (6-6) — C. Jackson 1-4 1-2 3, Persons 9-17 4-4 23, White 4-11 0-0 12, Cole 0-3 0-0 0, Giesler 0-1 0-0 0, J. Jackson 0-0 1-2 1, Camps 3-5 0-0 6, Billups 4-5 2-2 10, Johnson 2-8 0-0 6, Murray 1-3 0-0 3, Monaco 4-7 5-5 17. Totals 28-64 13-15 81.

Halftime—Northern Kentucky 40-34. 3-Point Goals—Idaho 5-24 (M. Scott 3-8, Hill 2-9, Wiggs 0-1, Sanders 0-1, Mkrtychyan 0-1, Callandret 0-4), Northern Kentucky 12-34 (Monaco 4-7, White 4-9, Johnson 2-7, Murray 1-3, Persons 1-4, Camps 0-1, Cole 0-3). Fouled Out—Wiggs. Rebounds—Idaho 43 (Seck 9), Northern Kentucky 38 (Camps 11). Assists—Idaho 5 (M. Scott, Wiggs 2), Northern Kentucky 13 (J. Jackson 7). Total Fouls—Idaho 13, Northern Kentucky 16. A—1,255.