NKU Dominates Detroit Mercy with High-Octane Offense, Cruise to 99-75 First Round Victory

Northern Kentucky showcased a dominant performance against Detroit Mercy, securing a convincing 99-75 win at Truist Arena. The home team controlled the pace from the outset, utilizing efficient shooting and capitalizing on Detroit Mercy’s turnovers. Despite a few momentum shifts, NKU’s consistency in scoring, rebounding, and defensive pressure allowed them to maintain a comfortable lead throughout. Let's take a look at this game before previewing Thursday's quarterfinal matchup against Cleveland State.

First Half Analysis

• Hot Start for NKU: Northern Kentucky quickly established control with back-to-back three-pointers from Dan Gherezgher and Josh Dilling, opening a 6-0 lead.
• Detroit Mercy Fights Back: Mak Manciel drained a three to tie the game at 13-13, momentarily giving Detroit Mercy a fighting chance.
• NKU Breaks Away: NKU capitalized on turnovers, with Randall Pettus II converting a fastbreak layup to extend their lead to 21-13.
• Sustained NKU Momentum: Trey Robinson’s layup and Gherezgher’s scoring push NKU’s lead to double digits at 31-20.
• Strong Finish for NKU: NKU continued to score efficiently, with Keeyan Itejere and Gherezgher making key baskets, closing the half with a 49-37 lead.

Second Half Analysis

• Detroit Mercy’s Quick Surge: A three-pointer from TJ Nadeau followed by Nate Johnson’s triple helped cut NKU’s lead to eight at 51-43.
• NKU Responds with Three-Point Barrage: Josh Dilling and Trey Robinson hit crucial threes, pushing the lead back to 16.
• Fast Break Domination: Robinson and Gherezgher led multiple transition plays, extending NKU’s lead to 25.
• Detroit Mercy Struggles to Close the Gap: Despite a three-pointer from Manciel, NKU’s efficient shooting, including a deep three from Hubertas Pivorius, pushed the lead past 20.
• NKU Closes with Authority: A three-pointer from Pettus II and a dunk by Jeramiah Israel sealed NKU’s dominant win. NKU put in the bench with under four minutes to play, otherwise they would have easily went over the century mark.

Summary

Northern Kentucky's balanced attack and sharp three-point shooting overwhelmed Detroit Mercy, who struggled with turnovers and transition defense. Detroit’s Orlando Lovejoy led with 21 points, but NKU’s collective effort, led by Gherezgher (19 points) and Robinson (18 points), proved too much. NKU’s points off turnovers (26-8) made the difference in a decisive 99-75 victory, adding to their momentum in the Horizon League Tournament.

Key Player Stats – Northern Kentucky

• Dan Gherezgher: 33 MIN, 19 PTS, 5-11 FG, 3-7 3PT, 6-6 FT, 4 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL
• Trey Robinson: 26 MIN, 18 PTS, 5-11 FG, 1-3 3PT, 7-8 FT, 3 REB, 5 AST, 3 STL
• Josh Dilling: 33 MIN, 16 PTS, 5-11 FG, 5-11 3PT, 1-2 FT, 3 REB, 2 AST
• LJ Wells: 25 MIN, 16 PTS, 5-7 FG, 1-1 3PT, 5-6 FT, 9 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL
• Sam Vinson: 28 MIN, 9 PTS, 4-8 FG, 1-2 FT, 3 REB, 6 AST

Key Player Stats – Detroit Mercy

• Orlando Lovejoy: 36 MIN, 21 PTS, 8-19 FG, 0-1 3PT, 5-5 FT, 4 REB, 4 AST, 3 STL
• TJ Nadeau: 27 MIN, 11 PTS, 3-10 FG, 2-5 3PT, 3-3 FT, 3 REB, 1 AST
• Mak Manciel: 21 MIN, 13 PTS, 5-10 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1-1 FT, 1 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL
• Emmanuel Kuac: 18 MIN, 8 PTS, 3-5 FG, 1-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, 2 REB, 1 BLK, 2 STL
• Ryan Kalambay: 24 MIN, 6 PTS, 2-3 FG, 2-3 FT, 6 REB

Team Comparison

Out and Running

Northern Kentucky played fast and free against Detroit Mercy, scoring 25 points in transition. That is NKU's highest transition point total against a Division I opponent this season and the most since their loss at Detroit Mercy on January 30th (19). When you get stops and immediately push the ball like the Norse did it puts so much pressure on the Titan's defense.

Dilling, Gherezgher, and even Pivorius provide immediate perimeter threats that the defense has to find in transition and even when they do you will see Robinson or Wells in the post trying to get early position for an easy duck in. It will be significantly more difficult to try to push the pace on a more athletic Cleveland State team and I suspect we will not see NKU get 25 fast break points but it does put something on the Vikings radar going into the game.

Team Effort

Gherezgher, Dilling, Robinson, and Wells all finished in double figures, while Vinson came up just short with nine points. When NKU has this balanced of a scoring attack it makes it really difficult for opposing teams to defend.

Wells was thrust into a bigger role on Tuesday after Itejere picked up early second-half fouls. LJ stepped up, playing extended minutes at the five, and alongside Robinson, he dominated inside once again, as Detroit provided little interior defensive resistance. When LJ plays like he did against Purdue Fort Wayne and Detroit Mercy, NKU becomes an incredibly tough team to beat.

Coach Horn emphasized Wells' impact, saying, "The guy's a difference maker. You know, he really is because he can score the ball, because he can rebound, because he can play basketball."

With three steals against the Titans, Trey Robinson now has 202 career steals and 53 this season, marking another milestone for the Norse defensive leader. A staple for the Norse defense passes another milestone, despite not making the Horizon League All Defense team.

"The unselfishness we’re playing with and the balance and the number of guys impacting the game, especially offensively, is quite honestly unlike what we’ve had here. In the past, we had to grind and make sure two or three guys had great games. Now, everybody can make a play."

Cleveland State Scouting Report

#0 Tevin Smith: Senior Guard 6'4"
Season Averages (29.3 MIN, 13.8 PPG, 4.3 REB, 1.7 AST)
The All-League First Teamer for the Vikings looks to attack the rim and score in transition. While he will take open three-pointers, it is not his strength (26.7% on the season). However, he is an efficient two-point scorer, converting 51.7% of his attempts.

A do-it-all guard, Smith is comfortable posting up or attacking defenders in isolation. Head coach Daniyal Robinson trusts him to create offense in late shot-clock or end-of-game situations.

#1 Tahj Staveskie: Redshirt Sophomore Guard 6'1"
Season Averages (31.5 MIN, 12.3 PPG, 2.1 REB, 1.6 AST)
One of the team's few consistent perimeter threats, Staveskie is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc this season. In fewer attempts he has been more successful against teams that play zone, and in the first matchup of the season he put up 20 points on 4-10 three point shooting.

Northern Kentucky defenders must remain aware of him on the perimeter at all times. They did a better job containing him in the second matchup, holding him to 10 points on 2-of-4 shooting from three.

#12 Dylan Arnett: Junior Forward 6'9"
Season Averages (28.4 MIN, 11.4 PPG, 7.4 REB, 1.5 AST)
Slowing down Dylan Arnett could be a key factor if NKU hopes to pull off the upset. Robinson, Wells, and Itejere must be aware of him as the screener in pick-and-roll situations. He is also a great cutter and will be looking to get easy offensive rebound stick backs.

Arnett rarely looks to take defenders off the dribble. He is also a strong defender, holding opponents to just 34.5% shooting this season. NKU has scored only two points against him across the two matchups. That score came off of an early transition post up by Trey Robinson.

#4 Je'Shawn Stevenson: Freshamn Guard 6'2"
Season Averages (19.1 MIN, 9.5 PPG, 2.5 REB, 1.1 AST)
The recently named Horizon League Freshman of the Year has, as expected, had a great season. Although he has not stood out against NKU, he finished the season strong with several solid performances.

In the final 3 regular season games he averaged 14 points and 2.6 steals against Oakland, Wright State and Purdue Fort Wayne, all teams that still remain in the tournament. He is a well rounded offensive player, but he really excels scoring in transition and is a good scorer when he has a full head of steam at the rim

#22 Chase Robinson: Redshirt Senior Guard 6'1"
Season Averages (24.6 MIN, 8.9 PPG, 2.9 REB, 2.2 AST)
Robinson earned Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year honors by being a consistent spot-up shooter and strong defender for the Vikings. Chase is heavily involved in pick-and-roll situations, where he drives to his right two-thirds of the time.

#15 Reece Robinson: Freshman Forward 6'8"
Season Averages (16.1 MIN, 5.6 PPG, 4.4 REB, 0.6 AST)
Despite missing the last two games of the season due to a knee injury, Reece Robinson earned a spot on the Horizon League All-Freshman Team. Although his season averages may not stand out, he did not become a full-time starter until late December. Robinson does a lot of his scoring as a cutter or as a spot up shooter. He is not a featured offensive player, but is capable of scoring double digits.

#6 Ebrima Dibba: Redshirt Senior Guard 6'6"
Season Averages (25.6 MIN, 3.4 PPG, 3.1 REB, 4.1 AST)
The Vikings' point guard is not much of a scoring threat, but he is an excellent distributor. Dibba boasts a 2.68 assist-to-turnover ratio this season and is also a solid all-around defender.

Key Stats

• Struggles After the Streak: Since Northern Kentucky ended Cleveland State's 13-game winning streak, they have gone just 3-4 to close out the season, costing them the No. 1 seed.
• Indy Bound?: If NKU can pull off a road upset, it will mark the seventh straight year they have reached the conference tournament semifinals.
• Take Care of the Ball: During NKU's current five-game winning streak, they are averaging fewer than 10 turnovers per game. They will face a Cleveland State defense that thrives on forcing turnovers (21.2% turnover rate).
• Single Season Record Watch: After hitting five three-pointers on Tuesday, Josh Dilling is now just four away from tying Cole Murray's NKU single-season made three pointer record (101). Dilling is now tied for 17th in the country in made three-pointers (97).

Follow all the action with Jim Kelch and Rick Broering on ESPN 1530 with pregame coverage starting at 7:30 pm on March 6th! You can also watch the game on ESPN+.