Northern Kentucky picks up 20th victory

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Drew McDonald scored 27 points with nine rebounds and Northern Kentucky defeated Illinois-Chicago 90-82 on Friday night for its 20th victory.

Lavone Holland II added 19 points and six assists, Cole Murray made four 3-pointers and scored 16 points and Mason Falkner added 13 points for the Norse (20-10, 11-6), who are tied for third with Green Bay in the Horizon League with a game remaining. UIC (7-10, 14-16) is sixth.

The Flames' Marcus Ottey tied the game at 80 with 1:29 to go but then was called for a flagrant foul with Holland making both free throws and Dantez Walton scoring after the Norse kept possession. Those five points began a 10-2 run to end a game that saw 23 lead changes.

Ottey finished with a career-high 25 points and Tarkus Ferguson added 22 points and 10 rebounds.

The Norse were 23 of 27 from the line to 4 of 8 for UIC.