The Northerner | Ed. 63 Issue 1 by thenortherner.com

Edition 63, Issue 1 Wednesday, January 16, 2019

thenortherner.com @northernermedia Page 3 Winterfest and 2019 horoscopes

Page 4 & 5

Top ten stories and photos of 2018

Page 6

Government shutdown: how it affects you

Page 7

Jennifer Kinsley: Chase Law’s ‘rebel attorney’

Page 8

Men’s basketball defeats Wright State

2018: A YEAR IN REVIEW

Northerner Staff

ILLUSTRATION BY EMERSON SWOGER

NKU and its surrounding community saw both trauma and triumph in 2018. Our campus was shaken last year by the loss of dear friends, by sexual misconduct and by a mass shooting in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati. By all accounts, it was a hard year for many. The Northerner was grateful to discover and share the stories of a resilient NKU community—made up of students, faculty, staff and supporters—that helped one another through the darker days. Though NKU suffered losses this year, 2018 was filled with growth, laughter and excitement. Shaky job security for faculty spurred by looming state budget cuts inspired rallies for higher education. The university’s main campus saw the rise of a new Health Innovation Center and broke ground on new developments and roads to connect us with the world. TV stars visited and shared their wisdom with students in ballrooms and concert halls. Norse sports continued with winning records and brought fans to their feet at every game, match and tournament. From NKU’s 50th birthday to the thrill of Zac Efron on campus and the appointment of the university’s sixth president, 2018 was a full year that won’t be soon forgotten. In this issue, revisit The Northerner’s top stories and photos of 2018. Story on pages 4 & 5

02 Happenings

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

NORTHERNER STAFF

WWW.THENORTHERNER.COM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sam Rosenstiel [rosensties1@mymail.nku.edu] MANAGING EDITOR Nicole Browning [browningn30@gmail.com] NEWS EDITOR Natalie Hamren [hamrenn1@mymail.nku.edu] ASST. NEWS EDITOR Josh Goad [goadj2@mymail.nku.edu] ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Josh Kelly [kellyjoshual17@gmail.com] ASST. ARTS & LIFE EDITOR Kane Mitten [mittenm1@mymail.nku.edu] SPORTS EDITOR Sierra Newton [newtons3@mymail.nku.edu] PHOTO EDITOR Colin Johnson [johnsonphotography6626@gmail.com]

ASST. PHOTO EDITOR Emerson Swoger [emeswagg16@gmail.com]

WHAT TO DO Check out the hottest campus happenings and can’t-miss events in Greater Cincinnati.

JAN

18-19 JAN

WINTERFEST CARNIVAL | STUDENT UNION PLAZA | 11 A.M. - 3 P.M.

NKU is holding their annual winter carnival event with free ice-skating and free earmuffs handed out by the men’s and women’s basketball team. Check out page 3 for more coverage on Winterfest, and head outside of the SU for a winter wonderland experience.

NORSE@NIGHT: NOBODY’S FOOL | OTTO M. BUDIG THEATER | 7 P.M.

APB’s monthly movie showing is back, and this month’s film is comedy flick “Nobody’s Fool” starring Tiffany Haddish and Chris Rock. As always, the movie is free and so is the popcorn. Head to the University Center and have a laugh. You’d be a fool to miss this one.

ICEFEST 2019 | HIGH STREET, HAMILTON, OH | 5 P.M.

Hamilton, Ohio’s annual IceFest event shows why they’re known as the City of Sculpture. Take a trip to 101 High Street for art exhibits and sculptures made entirely of ice. There are also games and prizes up for grabs, and guests 21 and over will be able to enjoy special liquors.

u n i v e r s i t y

POLICE BEAT

From University Police logs, here’s the week in crime at NKU.

Dec. 7 - Student reported money was stolen out of an unsecured locker in the Campus Recreation Center.

ASST. VIDEO EDITOR Abby Behrens [behrensm1@mymail.nku.edu]

Dec. 11 - Subject intentionally caused damage to Kenton Garage gate to avoid paying fees.

DESIGN EDITOR Bridgette Gootee [gooteeb1@mymail.nku.edu]

Dec. 28 - Two laptops taken from a private office in BB&T Arena.

DESIGN EDITOR Ian Lape-Gerwe [lapegerwei@mymail.nku.edu]

Jan. 11 - Subject transported to hospital for an evaluation at BB&T Arena during baskteball game.

WEB EDITOR Laine Harrett [harrettn1@mymail.nku.edu] SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Maria Dossett [dossettm1@mymail.nku.edu] SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Kate Fulmer [fulmerk1@mymail.nku.edu] ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Isabel Winkleski [northerneradvertising@gmail.com] BUSINESS TEAM Tristan Tapia [northerneradvertising@gmail.com] ADVISOR Michele Day [daymi@nku.edu]

JOIN US 5 p.m. Mondays in Griffin Hall 204 Visit us in our newsroom GH 125

ABOUT THE NORTHERNER Entire content is copyright of The Northerner and may not be reprinted without prior consent. Views expressed do not represent those of the administration, faculty or student body. The Northerner is considered a designated public forum. Student editors have authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. The Northerner staff respects the right to a free and open dialogue as allowed under the First Amendment.

The Northerner Griffin Hall Rm. 125 Highland Heights, KY 41099 Editor in Chief: (859) 572-6128 Designers Desk: (859) 572-6677 Advertising: (859) 572-5232

What you missed at SGA Jan. 14 Josh Goad ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Student Government Association confirmed the After SGA finished their questions, Kovscek left appointment of a new student senator, discussed the room and they initiated a vote to appoint her as upcoming events they are hosting and acknowledged a student senator. The delegation was unanimous and the students who resigned. Here’s all you missed Kovscek became NKU’s newest senator. during SGA’s meeting on Jan. 14: Where SGA has been and where it’s going Resignations SGA President Hannah Edelen was absent from Senator Kris Henderson, Senator Chinedu Asinguo the Jan. 14 meeting for personal reasons, but Vice and Justice Shelby Sanford were three of the several President Matt Frey filled in for her. Frey presented resignations that took place in 2018. With the addition a sort of showcase of the SGA’s 2018 achievements, of Jackie Kovscek as a senator, the count of senators is which include the Tampon Revolution, Fresh Fusion now up to 24. and the District 24 Senate debate. Once the showcase for 2018 ended, Frey moved to New senate appointments discuss events and plans for 2019. Among the many events members of the SGA will be attending was a Kovscek, freshman political science major, spoke tentative gubernatorial debate featuring Republican from the back of the SU 104 when called upon. She candidates on March 18 and another featuring was a bit nervous, according to the Secretary of Public Democratic candidates March 20. Relations, Katie Mitchell, who is a fellow Delta Zeta Mitchell later took the floor and announced that member. Kovscek spoke about her experience as a they had surpassed their followers goal by getting over freshman at NKU and how she and others she knew 60 new followers on Instagram and 100 on Twitter. were a bit bewildered by the college experience at first. “I want to increase communication with new people Student Government Association meets 3:30 p.m. coming into NKU, people who don’t know their way Mondays in SU 104. around or don’t know much about the campus yet.”

Ed 63, Issue 1

Kane Mitten

Winterfest returns to NKU in 2019

Arts & Life 03

ASSISTANT ARTS & LIFE EDITOR

To celebrate the beginning of the new semester, NKU is holding a weeklong festival for students full of fun events and exciting opportunities. On Wednesday, head to the Student Union Plaza for the annual winter carnival event, with free ice-skating for all and Norse ear-warmers being handed out by the men’s and women’s basketball team. Thursday, students can head over to the Student Union Ballroom for a watch party to see the men’s basketball team take on Cleveland State as they enjoy free snacks and enter giveaways. Activities Programing Board is showing “Nobody’s Fool” in the Otto M. Budig Theatre in the University Center with the opportunity to snag some free popcorn. Students should visit myEngagement.com for details on

Kane Mitten

other events held throughout the week. Winterfest is held each year by the Office of Student Engagement at the beginning of the spring semester to welcome students back to school. “We know it’s not easy to get back into the school routine after the break,” said Dan Nadler, vice president for Student Affairs. “Winterfest is a way to build excitement and get students together. It also shows our new and transfer students how much there is to do around campus, even in January.” Winterfest concludes on Jan. 21, NKU’s annual day of service to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For more information on Winterfest, visit the Office of Student Engagement’s Facebook page.

Horoscopes: your outlook for 2019

ASSISTANT ARTS & LIFE EDITOR

Capricorn: Let’s get this out of the way, happy (belated) birthday. Hope you enjoyed your break. Study less and get out more. Learn to forgive easily, and be more flexible with your schedule. Aquarius: The stars in Aquarius are having a big fight against the creative wall that you build up. Don’t get in your own way; be sure to let your creativity roll and don’t stop yourself. Break that wall and open up more to your friends. Pisces: That project that you wanted to start so desperately last year? Do it. That book you started in November that you stopped reading? Read it. Be uninhibited by your situations, love your work and be proud of yourself.

Aries: Work on being the friend that doesn’t have to talk about themselves all the time and is quiet when the conversation isn’t on you. Learn to listen to people, and let your voice quiet down. Taurus: This semester, you have new classes, new schedule and potentially a new job. Embrace the change. Learn to live life without being so stubborn and having to fly on your own schedule. Let the wheel go into autopilot, and don’t drive as much. Gemini: Unlike Taurus, you need to understand you can’t go on auto-pilot all the time. As this semester gets going, take the bull by the horns and prevent yourself from getting mechanical.

Cancer: Hey. I’m breaking the fourth wall to tell you, you are doing really well. I hope you don’t get too insecure and build up this wall that stops you from being great and succeeding. Learn to be frank, not a crab. Leo: The lion roars loudly and so does your pettiness. This year, work on your ability to not write off people on one situation. Learn to be more patient with people and care more about your lion pride instead of your mental pride. Virgo: Working on abrasion and your ability to communicate openly with others should be your main objective. You can form your own jargon at times and that leaves people trusting you blindly without full knowledge of the plan.

Libra: You happen to get in your way too often. You over analyze when you need to just analyze. So we’re setting your resolution as to not think about anything for we know that you will overthink that too and hope that you just analyze normally. Scorpio: I know it’s really hard to ask this of you, but the stars are saying you need to dwell less on what happened last year. This is 2019, live this year completely separate of your burdens and baggage from 2018.

“Like everyone else, lose about 20 pounds.” Laura, cashier at Mondo’s Subs

“I don’t have one.” Kerry Hackney, senior, Psychology

Sagittarius: Your thoughts often align with your words. Often, those aren’t the best words. You can work on conveying things in a way that is stern, yet approachable.

North Poll Elizabeth Cates CONTRIBUTOR

What’s your new year’s resolution?

“Drink more water.” Kenzie Faulkner, sophmore, Biology

Year-in-Review 05

04 Year-in-Review

Top stories of 2018 Top photos of 2018 Northerner Staff

It was a big year for NKU news. Take a look back at The Northerner’s top ten stories of 2018.

Student dies in fall at Red River Gorge Jude Noel An NKU student died over 2018 spring break. Luis Fernando Carlos, 21, fell from “Whistling Arch” at Red River Gorge. NKU’s Eta Rho chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha held a memorial to honor him.

Student: I didn’t want there to be a girl after me Mackenzie Manley and Sam Rosenstiel Touching. Texting. Looks that lingered. Fear that no one would listen. Fear that the cycle would continue. Using NKU Title IX investigation Chase dean leaves after harassment documents and eyewitness accounts, complaints The Northerner compiled an awardSam Rosenstiel and Mackenzie winning report of sexual harassment Manley by the School of the Arts’ departing After three women complained of choral director. sexual harassment to NKU’s Office of Title IX, an investigation was launched against former Chase dean Jeffrey Standen. On Dec. 7, Provost Sue Ott Rowlands informed Standen of the findings that there was an “unhealthy culture of fear, intimidation and bullying.” He resigned the next day. Editorial: professors need job security Mackenzie Manley Former Northerner Editor-in-Chief Mackenzie Manley took a stand for NKU lecturers when they faced uncertainty regarding keeping their positions in the coming school year. The state had previously announced sweeping cuts to higher education.

Vigil honors student’s life Josh Kelly The death of an NKU student brought the community together to not only mourn but celebrate his life and the impact he left on campus and the people in it. The Northerner captured the heartfelt speeches and legacy that was left in Christian “Jet Li” Dichoso’s Chase professor on the U.S. Supreme honor. Court? Josh Goad Papa John’s booted from Student President Donald Trump sat down Union with four judges during the summer Natalie Hamren of 2018 and among them was Chase NKU kicked Papa John’s to the curb Law professor and 6th Circuit Court when it was revealed the company Judge Amul Thapar. Though Trump founder reportedly used racial slurs ultimately nominated Associate Justice during a company conference call. Brett Kavanaugh, Northern Kentucky

was abuzz when the spotlight landed on one of its own. Jazz saxophonist paves way for Black women Noël Waltz NKU student became the first professional African-American saxophonist in the Cincinnati area. From receiving her saxophone when she was 9 years old, to her studies at NKU— Kayla Upthegrove takes the stage as a musician and a role model.

‘NKU, what are you gonna do?’ Sam Rosenstiel NKU faced a $3.2 million cut. Over 200 students, faculty and staff gathered to protest the potential cut. NKU prepared for the worst, while Governor Matt Bevin vetoed a budget bill. NKU was left to play the guessing game about its future.

Zac Efron shoots film at NKU Mackenzie Manley As the snow fell on the cold Saturday morning, students fled their dorm halls to search for the celebrity. Efron, filming his new Ted Bundy biopic, shot scenes out and around the campus and inside Nunn Hall, bringing students together to find him in the parking lot and trees of Lot I. Best photos and illustrations Clockwise from top left: Norse men’s basketball team celebrates during a game against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (Colin Johnson). Flowers and cards lay on the Tyler Davidson Fountain following a deadly shooting in Downtown Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Center (Emerson Swoger). Students grapple with college loan debt (Bridgette Gootee). NKU braces for budget cuts amid a tense state legislative session (Sam Rosenstiel). The- Northerner’s Valentine’s Day issue celebrated self-love (by Mo Herbe). Dance ‘18 showcased NKU SOTA’s dancers and choreographers (by Emerson Swoger). Emily Lohmann buries her face after the Norse fell to the Cincinnati Bearcats (Colin Johnson). NKU dancers rehearse in the Fine Arts Center (Emerson Swoger).

In 2018... Over 102,000 people viewed Northerner articles, photos and videos. 400,000 people saw our posts (including all those baskteball memes). 10,000 people liked and shared our stuff with others, even the dog gifs.

Year-in-Review 05

04 Year-in-Review

Top stories of 2018 Top photos of 2018 Northerner Staff

It was a big year for NKU news. Take a look back at The Northerner’s top ten stories of 2018.

06 News

What D a dthe a , government shutdown B l u f o r dmeans fori nyouS G A w presidential election

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Sam Rosenstiel EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Since it began in December, the partial federal government shutdown became the longest in U.S. history on Friday. During the shutdown period, non-essential government services that lack funding were shuttered, and their employees have been sent home. Congress must approve funding for several federal departments in order for employees to go back to work and services to reopen. Here’s how the government shutdown impacts NKU and you.

ILLUSTRATION BY SAM ROSENSTIEL

What’s open? Essential services like law enforcement, 911, active duty military, postal services, air traffic controllers and airport security are still operating, though unpaid TSA agents are beginning to call in sick as the shutdown continues. Agencies and services that are already funded—like the Department of Defense, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid—are also running. Because it’s a federal shutdown, all state and local government agencies are open. However, some programs that are operated by cities, counties and states rely on federal support and might not be open. What’s closed? Because they lack funding, the Departments of State, Justice, Housing, Transportation, Agriculture and the Interior are currently closed or are operating with skeleton staffs. This includes the Federal Housing Administration, meaning services like home loan processing may take more time. NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency and National Parks Services are also closed. What about my financial aid? Congress already approved

the

Department of Education’s budget in September, including its appropriations for the 2019 fiscal year, so financial aid shouldn’t be affected. For questions, contact NKU’s Office of Financial Aid. Will my tax refund be late? Though previous shutdowns have delayed federal tax refunds, the IRS confirmed on Tuesday it is working to send refunds out on time. Will access to food stamps be taken away? Nutrition assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will continue through February, the Department of Agriculture announced Jan. 8. FUEL NKU, the university’s student food pantry, is also available to students. Can I still ride the bus? TANK bus services, including the campus shuttle, and Cincinnati Metro continue to operate during a government shutdown. What could happen to international students? Most Customs and Immigration services aren’t affected by the shutdown, including the Homeland Security service

which processes student visas. For specific questions, contact NKU’s Office of International Students and Scholar Services. Will veterans’ benefits be taken away? The shutdown will not affect benefits veterans receive or NKU’s Veterans Resource Station in UC 131. Congress approved the 2019 budget for Veterans Affairs in September. What happens to federal research and arts grants? New federal grant applications likely won’t be accepted or reviewed during the shutdown, but funds already awarded shouldn’t be affected. The National Science Foundation is closed during the shutdown. The NSF will continue to allow grant submissions but will not process them until normal operations resume. Payments will not be made during the shutdown. The National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities are also closed during the shutdown and will likewise suspend payments. The National Institutes of Health is open and unaffected by the shutdown, as are the federal funding databases grants.gov and research.gov.

What about NKU? The university and its services are open and available during a federal shutdown. NKU also offers guidance on navigating the shutdown in an updated FAQ. Why is the government closed? The government partially shut down during the last Congressional session ending Dec. 21. It’s up to the new Congress and the president to agree on funding for the Departments of State, Justice, Housing, Transportation, Agriculture and the Interior. When will it reopen? Congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump are currently divided on line-item funding for a wall or barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, the projected cost of which is over $5 billion. Trump has indicated he could let the partial shutdown last for months or years, and he has also said he may soon declare a national emergency to secure the border funding without Congress. This shutdown has surpassed the former longest, a 21-day shutdown under President Bill Clinton in 1995-96. The government has allowed federal agencies to close during funding gaps since 1976.

News 07

Ed 63, Issue 1

Chase Jennifer Kinsley a ‘rebel lawyer’ D a dprofessor a,

Bluford win SGA presidential election

Noelle Horn REPORTER

Jennifer Kinsley does not back down from a challenge. Known for representing those who are marginalized or unseen, this rebel lawyer stands with those who need her help most. Kinsley has been practicing law for 19 years, but it wasn’t her original plan. Kinsley initially wanted to become a high school English teacher, but did not feel like the timing was right for her at the time she graduated from the University of Florida at the age of 20. Kinsley is still passionate about education. She never sets out to teach her students strictly content from a textbook, but rather the ability to believe in themselves. “I want to give my students the confidence to know who they are, to know why they came here and to know where they’re going,” she said. Prior to becoming a professor at Chase, Kinsley practiced law in Cincinnati. “This is my seventh year teaching at Chase; before I came here I practiced constitutional law and criminal defense out of my office in Cincinnati, but in a nationwide capacity, so I had cases and clients all over the place,” Kinsley said. Alexis Martin case

In 2014, Alexis Martin, a victim of sex trafficking, was tried as an adult and sentenced to 21 years to life for her role in the murder of her pimp, Angelo Kerney. In May of 2018, Kinsley received media attention for her work on Martin’s case. Kinsley pursued a post-conviction appeal stating the court should have taken into account Ohio’s Safe Harbor law, which according to court documents operates “on the premise that children charged with crimes related to their trafficking are victims and should be given support services rather than face criminalization by the state.” “A lot of legwork wasn’t done in the begging. Lawyers are human beings and we make mistakes, there are things that we don’t know,” Kinsley said. Ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld Martin’s conviction, but Kinsley isn’t giving up yet. “I’m never going to give up for her. She’s not a person who needs to be in prison,” she said. Kinsley sees Martin not as a criminal, but a kind and smart girl. She hopes the world will see this side of Martin someday too. “She’s just a really sweet, wonderful, amazing human being who has so much resilience and so much intelligence and

Chase Law professor Jennifer Kinsley works for justice for people who belong to traditionally marginalized groups. PHOTO BY COLIN JOHNSON

such a bright light inside her. I hope that someday she gets to show that to the world because the world will be impressed with her,” Kinsley said. In a related case, Cyntoia Brown, a human trafficking victim, was sentenced to life in prison for killing the man who bought her for sex at 16. On Jan. 7, Brown was granted clemency by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam after 15 years in prison. If Brown’s case is successfully appealed, it could have bearing on Kinsley’s work in the Martin case.

“I like working with people who feel marginalized and who just really need to know someone stands with them and they count too. But I have seen the positive influence that I can make in a person’s life just by saying, ‘I will stand by you.’” - Professor Jennifer Kinsley, Chase associate dean for professional development, attorney Human first, rebel lawyer second The work of a lawyer is full of ups and downs; wins and losses. Kinsley recalls a case with an uncertain outcome.

“I had worked on a case in the U.S. Supreme Court...I had been practicing law for about a year. We also had just concluded a two-week long jury trial for a client that was very high profile case, there was all kinds of media attention,” Kinsley said. Kinsley’s client had been heavily criticized in the media, much of the public had already determined he was guilty. Kinsley got to know her client as a human being. “He’s just such a sweet soul. He created a piece of art for me that still hangs in my house,” she said. Kinsley’s client had been convicted in his trial, and she awaited the results of his sentencing. “While we had hoped he would avoid prison, the likelihood was that he would be going to prison. We went into the courtroom and not only was he going to prison, but he was going to prison for a long time. That was a really hard day,” she said. As Kinsley walked out of the courtroom, feeling the weight of the sentence, someone came up to her and told her she had won her case in the Supreme Court. “I held it together long enough to get to the bathroom in the courthouse. Then came the tears. It was just a fold of emotions,” Kinsley said. “You have to learn how to keep the emotion in check

so that you can still do your job.” Kinsley seems to have this connection with most people she meets. She likes working with those who she feels needs someone to stand with the most. “I like working with people who feel marginalized and who just really need to know someone stands with them and they count too,” Kinsley said. “But I have seen the positive influence that I can make in a person’s life just by saying I will stand by you.” When Kinsley is not in a courtroom or a classroom, she is married with five kids, a wife, a marathon runner and volunteers monthly, serving food to people experiencing homelessness. “I am busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t like to be bored, because being bored is worse than being busy to me. I don’t know what to do with myself when I can sit still, that makes me uncomfortable,” Kinsley said.

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08 Sports

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Men’s basketball defeats Wright State at BB&T

Sierra Newton SPORTS EDITOR

The NKU men’s basketball team held off Horizon league rivals Wright State 68-64. The Norse now move 4-1 in conference play and 14-4 overall. Wright State Raiders moves to 2-3 in the conference and 8-10 overall. Senior forward Drew McDonald led the night with 22 points and 12 rebounds, achieving his 9th double-double of the season. Redshirt sophomore guard Jalen Tate follows with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Junior guard Tyler Sharpe put up 14 points for the Norse with 3 assists. “Obviously an electric crowd tonight want to start off and say how appreciative I am of our fans for coming out in droves and the white out. This is what college basketball is supposed to be and this is what college basketball in a region that loves basketball is supposed to be,” Head Coach John Brannen said. “And this is what BB&T arena can oftentimes be if we continue to get people to come out and enjoy an extremely competitive Horizon League game.” Almost 6,000 fans were in attendance to watch the win over Wright State and the crowd’s presence was made known throughout the evening. The Norse started the half slow shooting 0 of 4, not hitting their first shot until 3 minutes into the game. The Raiders started the game off with a 6-2 run. After a time out the Norse began to get more into their rhythm, making more shots. Junior forward Dantez Walton hit a shot to tie 6-6. Tate came in the game and made a big play for the Norse. As Tate went to the basket he collected a foul which sent him to the line, where he added a three point play to the scoreboard. “I’m just trying to help the team out however I could, you know,” Tate said. “Things you see coming off the bench a little bit, you know you see their coverage and some and I know their bigs like the press up a little bit. It’s hard to leave this big guy [McDonald], you know, shooting threes the way he does, so it opens up a lot of lanes for us guards, you know what I mean? Stuff like that I’m just taking what the defense is giving me.” The Norse weren’t able to keep a solid

NORSE SCORES Jan. 5 - 15

Visit thenortherner.com and follow @northernersport for more game coverage.

NKU’s Football Play NKU may not have a football team, but its men’s basketball squad pulled off an out-of-bounds play that blurred the line between the sports. Walton acted as QB, passing the ball in bounds. Once Walton started the play the other four players run their route to get open. Brannen does this to allow his better free throw shooters a chance to get open and get the ball in hopes of getting fouled. Wright State fell into the trap and fouled Tyler Sharpe with 11 seconds to go. Buzz about the innovative play made waves nationally, especially after it made an appearance on SportsCenter’s “Best Thing I Saw Today” segment on ESPN. lead and fell behind by four with a minute left. Sharpe got fouled and got the chance to lower the deficit, he sank one free throw to bring the score to 27. NKU ended the half down by 3, 27-30. “In the first half they had that look on their face like it was last year’s game, couldn’t get our rhythm, never could get going,” Brannen said. “I challenged them to stay with it that you know Wright state was not going to break it’s just not what they do.” The game became more of a “tit for tat” with the largest lead being four points and the score tied a total of seven times in the first half. In the paint the Raiders out scored the Norse 24-12, eight of those 24 coming from forward Loudon Love. “I just knew my defensive job was just to make it hard on him[Love]. Just be physical with him, limit his catches and if he catches it, to get him off his spots,” McDonald said. “And he’s going to get his, any good player’s gonna get his, it’s just my job to make it hard on him. And I just need to do my job for these guards.” The Raiders came right out of the gate in the second half and scored but McDonald answered right back with a three pointer. The Black & Gold got a few defensive stops, which allowed them to obtain the lead. The Norse went on an

ILLUSTRATION BY SAM ROSENSTIEL & KANE MITTEN

11-0 run, which brought the score to 4439 with 13 minutes left in NKUs favor. The Norse got the largest lead of the game of 8 points with 9 minutes left in play. Redshirt freshman guard Paul Djoko received a technical and the Raiders put the two points up. Wright state took the opportunity and ran with it the teams tied again, 56-56 with 5 minutes left. Tate came down the court and got a layup not allowing that to remain the case. McDonald created a defensive stop, the Norse execute and freshman guard Trevon Faulkner put them back up by four, 60-56 with 3:32 left in the game. The Raiders tied the game with the Norse two more times. With just under two minutes left McDonald put up a layup and the crowd gets involved. Sharpe grabbed a steal on defense and called a timeout, the arena erupts with excitement. Sharpe was then fouled with

2 seconds left on the clock, he made one of the two free throws, ending the game, 68-64. “We felt like we were playing solid defense,” Sharpe said. “We thought we were making it very tough on them. We were struggling to make shots early, we didn’t get a good flow on offense. Coach Brannen told us to win the game, ‘coming in we knew we were going to have to play 40 minutes.’ And so going back out there it was the same game plan we had before and just sticking with it for 40 minutes having faith that it was going to pay off, and it did.” The Norse are now tied for first place in the Horizon League standings with Detroit Mercy Titans. The Norse go on to Cleveland State to face the Vikings on Thursday, Jan. 17. Watch the game live on ESPN+ at 7 p.m.

Want more Norse Basketball coverage? Check out thenortherner.com and follow @northernersport for interviews, photos and more.

Men’s basketball - W, 95-73 at Detroit Mercy, Jan. 5. W, 68-64 vs. Wright State, Jan. 11. Next: Jan. 17, 7 p.m. at Cleveland State on ESPN+.

Women’s basketball - L, 81-61 vs. Green Bay, Jan. 5. L, 61-55 vs. Wright State, Jan. 12. Next: Jan. 18, 11 a.m. at Cleveland State on ESPN+.