DETROIT – The Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team has been crowned the 2017 Horizon League Tournament Champion after defeating No. 10 seed Milwaukee, 59-53, on Tuesday night at Joe Louis Arena. The Norse have earned an automatic NCAA Tournament berth in their first year eligible to do so since being granted full Division I status in August.
No. 4-seeded NKU (24-10) was led by Lavone Holland II’s game-high 20 points. Drew McDonald posted his 11th double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
En route to the championship, the Norse defeated No. 5 seed Wright State on Sunday in the quarterfinals, 82-77, and turned around to defeat No. 9 seed Youngstown State, 84-74, in the semifinals on Monday.