HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY (Dec. 28, 2007) – Senior F Vincent Humphrey scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Northern Kentucky over UMass Lowell, 77-68, Friday night in a non-conference men’s basketball clash at Regents Hall.

The loss halted a three-game winning streak for the River Hawks, who slipped to 4-5 entering Sunday’s game at the University of Indianapolis (5:00).

The Norse improved to 6-1.

Sophomore G Kevin Carr (Lancaster, OH) led all scorers with 18 points, hitting 7 of 12 field goals, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range, while senior G Jamael Lynch (Brooklyn, NY) added 13 points.

Senior F Mike Gore (Wilmington, MA) added a career-high 11 points and five rebounds while sophomore G Craig Heatherly (Mishawaka, IN) also scored 11 points (4-6 field goals) and grabbed six rebounds.

Senior G Dashon Harper (Columbus, OH) chipped in nine points, eight assists and eight rebounds.

Sophomore G Scott Bibbins scored 16 points (5-8 FGs) for the Norse while freshman G Dennis Gagai had 11 points and senior G Anthony Teague 10 points and five rebounds.

NKU shot .500 from the field (24-48) opposed to UML’s .443 (27-61). The Norse also enjoyed a 22-4 advantage at the free throw line and outscored the River Hawks 17-6 off turnovers.

UML trailed 36-25 at the break and 40-30 1:35 into the second half, but used an 8-2 spurt to cut the deficit to 42-38 with 15:36 left to play. Gore scored four of his points in the run.

UML trailed 45-40 with 14:16 left to play when the Norse reeled off 10 unanswered points to establish a 55-40 cushion with 11:28 remaining. Gagai keyed the run with consecutive 3-point shots.

NKU kept its lead in double digits into the final minute.