A Parade to the Free-Throw Line: NKU Prevails Over Wofford 93–83

Northern Kentucky returned to Truist Arena on Wednesday looking to continue its early-season momentum, and the matchup with Wofford delivered just about everything except a smooth flowing game. The officials called it tight from the opening tip, both teams had to dig deep, and the game became a possession-by-possession grind. But once again, NKU’s depth, finishing, and toughness in the final minutes carried them to a double-digit win and a 5–2 start.

First Half

A Slow, Rugged Opening Turns into an NKU Push

The game opened in a low-scoring trench. Neither team could buy an early bucket, with more than three minutes passing before the first point was scored, and most of the early scoring came at the foul line as both teams worked through contact. NKU found its footing first by getting downhill and drawing whistles, stacking free throws while Wofford searched for clean looks.

As the half settled, NKU began to create separation through energy plays. LJ Wells delivered the highlight of the half with a soaring putback dunk that snapped the building to life, and Donovan Oday forced the issue in the lane over and over, punctuating one early stretch with a tough layup in transition. Wofford answered with timely threes to keep the margin tight, but NKU’s paint touches and tempo gradually built an edge. Check out LJ's putback dunk below:

Foul Trouble Shapes the Half

The defining theme of the first 20 minutes was the whistle. The half turned into a parade to the line, and NKU had to navigate constant rotation shuffling with multiple players picking up two fouls well before halftime. At one point, every NKU starter had at least two, with two more bench players with two fouls and the Terriers weren’t far behind.

Bench Lifts the Norse into the Break

NKU’s reserves helped steady things when foul trouble threatened to stall the momentum. Shawn Nelson provided strong minutes as a driver, and Donovan Rakotonanahary’s activity around the rim showed up immediately. His rebounding and finishing gave NKU a valuable lift during a stretch when the lineup kept changing.

A late three from Dan Gherezgher pushed NKU into halftime with a 45–43 advantage, closing a half that had little flow but plenty of competitiveness.

Second Half

Wofford’s Push Flips the Score Early

The second half opened the same way the first did, physical and whistle-heavy. Three fouls were called in the opening minute, and Wofford capitalized by attacking the paint early. A brief NKU scoring drought allowed the Terriers to claim control of the scoreboard for the next ten-plus minutes, using drives, mid-post touches, and second chances to stay in front.

Norse Settle In and Regain Momentum

The tide began to turn as NKU returned to its bread-and-butter, physical drives and interior scoring. Wells powered home a dunk through traffic, Robinson scored twice on strong cuts and finishes, and Oday found seams for back-to-back layups. Each possession slowly tilted the game back toward NKU.

The pivotal moment came with just under eight minutes left. After a missed free throw offensive rebound by Archer and a loose-ball scramble, he kicked the ball to Gherezgher, who drilled a deep three to put the Norse up four.

Defense, Poise, and Tough Buckets Close It Out

From that point forward, NKU dictated every possession. Wells protected the rim with authority, Robinson attacked the interior for two huge late baskets, and the Norse guards bottled up Wofford’s attempts to play through the lane. When Wofford tried to respond, NKU met every push with a calm, composed answer.

The final blow came on another Gherezgher three, but this one touched every part of the rim twice before dropping in and stretching the lead to seven and sealing the game. NKU added a couple more paint scores and free throws to finish off a 48-point second half and a well-earned 93–83 win.

Final Numbers and Takeaways

What more can you say about Donovan Oday at this point? He’s putting up 18.1 points, 4 rebounds, and more than 2 steals per game while shooting 60 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three. The move to a bench role hasn’t changed anything about his production or his impact. He still plays starter minutes, and he still drives everything NKU does offensively. Against Wofford he set the tone again, attacking downhill, drawing contact on nearly every touch, and finishing with a season-high 27 points on a perfect 11-of-11 at the line. He continues to lead the team in scoring despite taking fewer shots than both Gherezgher and Robinson, which speaks to how efficient and selective he’s been.

Because of how tightly the game was called, NKU had to adjust and operate at a slower pace. They finished with only 15 fast break points, but their commitment to driving the ball produced 52 points in the paint and 26 more at the free-throw line. The Norse attempted just 13 threes all afternoon while the two teams combined for 77 free throws. NKU’s improved free-throw shooting over the last two games has played an important role in closing out wins, especially in whistle-heavy games like this one. This game really showed that NKU can play and win games in different forms offensively, not everything had to be a transition opportunity.

One lineup in particular has kept providing a boost. The group of Gherezgher, Wells, Oday, Rakotonanahary, and Dozier once again gave NKU its best offensive stretch. They scored 19 points on a game high 17 possessions and shot 6-for-11, playing with the spacing, tempo, and decisiveness that consistently creates advantages. It’s become one of Horn’s most reliable combinations when the game needs structure.

LJ Wells continues to show the steady production that NKU relies on inside. He anchored the paint, grabbed key rebounds, blocked shots, and finished in traffic throughout the night. He has now scored in double figures in four straight games and is averaging 8.3 rebounds on the season. His 18 points against Wofford marked a new season high and another reminder of how important he’s been on both ends.

Dan Gherezgher did what he’s done all season: close. His shot-making late in the second half flipped the momentum and helped NKU create separation. Outside of the Tennessee game, he hasn’t been held below double digits all year, and he’s now hitting 38.9 percent of his threes. When the game tightens, he has become the player NKU trusts to steady the possession and deliver a basket.

The bench provided meaningful help beyond Oday’s scoring punch. Donovan Rakotonanahary brought terrific energy, toughness, and activity around the rim, turning in one of his best performances yet. Donovan has great hands and it seems like every ball he gets his hands on is his. Shawn Nelson also gave NKU his most composed minutes of the season, helping the Norse navigate possession after possession where foul trouble forced constant lineup changes.

It was a quiet scoring night for Ethan Elliott, but he still found ways to help. He finished with four assists to just one turnover, and that lone turnover came on the first possession of the game. From that point on he handled the ball cleanly, made the right reads, and gave NKU steady minutes in a game where ball security mattered.

Wofford’s Key Players

Kahmare Holmes: 31 MIN, 21 PTS, 5-10 FG, 2-4 3PT, 9-13 FT, 5 REB, 4 PF, 0 AST, 3 TO, 0 BLK, 1 STL
Nils Machowski: 37 MIN, 15 PTS, 4-14 FG, 2-5 3PT, 5-6 FT, 11 REB, 3 PF, 4 AST, 2 TO, 0 BLK, 0 STL
Maximo Ortega: 17 MIN, 12 PTS, 4-4 FG, 1-1 3PT, 3-4 FT, 3 REB, 3 PF, 0 AST, 3 TO, 0 BLK, 0 STL
Brian Sumpter: 22 MIN, 11 PTS, 4-5 FG, 0-0 3PT, 3-6 FT, 3 REB, 3 PF, 0 AST, 1 TO, 2 BLK, 1 STL
Chace Watley: 20 MIN, 11 PTS, 1-8 FG, 1-2 3PT, 8-8 FT, 1 REB, 3 PF, 2 AST, 0 TO, 0 BLK, 0 STL

Northern Kentucky’s Key Players

Donovan Oday: 31 MIN, 27 PTS, 7-11 FG, 2-2 3PT, 11-11 FT, 5 REB, 5 PF, 0 AST, 1 TO, 1 BLK, 1 STL
Dan Gherezgher: 35 MIN, 21 PTS, 8-19 FG, 3-7 3PT, 2-4 FT, 4 REB, 3 PF, 1 AST, 2 TO, 0 BLK, 1 STL
LJ Wells: 35 MIN, 18 PTS, 6-12 FG, 0-1 3PT, 6-7 FT, 8 REB, 4 PF, 2 AST, 1 TO, 3 BLK, 1 STL
Donovan Rakotonanahary: 15 MIN, 9 PTS, 4-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-3 FT, 5 REB, 2 PF, 1 AST, 0 TO, 1 BLK, 2 STL
Kael Robinson: 20 MIN, 8 PTS, 4-7 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 1 REB, 3 PF, 0 AST, 2 TO, 1 BLK, 0 STL
Shawn Nelson: 14 MIN, 6 PTS, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-7 FT, 1 REB, 2 PF, 1 AST, 1 TO, 0 BLK, 1 STL
Tae Dozier: 25 MIN, 4 PTS, 1-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, 7 REB, 4 PF, 2 AST, 1 TO, 2 BLK, 0 STL
Ethan Elliott: 19 MIN, 0 PTS, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 1 REB, 4 PF, 4 AST, 1 TO, 0 BLK, 0 STL

	Wofford	Northern Kentucky
Field Goals (FG)	22-54 (40.7%)	31-60 (51.7%)
Three-Point FG (3PT)	7-17 (41.2%)	5-13 (38.5%)
Free Throws (FT)	32-43 (74.4%)	26-34 (76.5%)
Total Rebounds (Offensive)	35 (12)	37 (10)
Assists	11	12
Steals	4	6
Blocks	2	9
Turnovers	11	9
Points Off Turnovers	9	11
Fast Break Points	12	15
Points in the Paint	30	52
Personal Fouls	26	28
Largest Lead	5	10

Up Next- Boston University Terriers @ Truist Arena 1 pm on November 29th

Back-to-back games against the Terriers as NKU now plays the Boston University Terriers on Saturday at 1. I will be back on the call with Brady Laber so make sure to tune in to ESPN+ and be on the lookout for a pregame preview of Boston U before the game.

Follow all the action with Jim Kelch and Rick Broering on Fox Sports 1360 with pregame coverage starting at 12:30 pm on November 29th! You can also watch the game on ESPN+.