HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Lake Erie Storm could not overcome an outstanding shooting night by the Northern Kentucky Norse at the Bank of Kentucky Center on Friday (Nov. 20) night in a 96-73 loss.

Forward Joe Roberts (Cleveland, Ohio/James Ford Rhodes/Alderson-Broaddus) led the Storm with a game-high 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting with five rebounds.
 
The Norse (1-1) was able to dice through the Lake Erie defense, shooting 58 percent (35-for-60) from the field, including 65 percent (13-for-20) from long-distance.
 
Lake Erie was not bad shooting the ball itself, knocking down 56 percent (29-for-52) of its shots from the floor, including a scintillating 62 percent clip in the second half.
 
The Storm hung with the Norse for the first 10 minutes of the game, but NKU was able to force its will on the Lake Erie defense, turning the ball over just five times in the game. The Norse assisted on 23 of 35 made field goals.

Scott Bibbins handed out 12 assists for the Norse combined with just six points. David Palmer paced Northern Kentucky with 19 points, leading a balanced offensive attack in which all but one NKU player scored in the game. David Gagai provided a spark for the Norse off the bench with four three-pointers and 14 points.
 
Guard Ethan Bradshaw (Cincinnati, Ohio/Harmony Prep) scored 15 points for the Storm, while forward Eric Worthey (South Euclid, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) and guard Antonio Kidd (Cleveland, Ohio/Lakewood)
 
Lake Erie will play No. 14 Tusculum Saturday (Nov. 21) night at 5:45 p.m. in the consolation game in the John L. Griffins/Lions Club Classic. The Pioneers fell to Christian Brothers, 47-44, in Friday's opener.
 
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