Northern Kentucky defeats Jacksonville 81-59

Jan 24, 2015, 03:18 pm

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- Tayler Persons scored 18 points and Jalen Billups 17 in Northern Kentucky's 81-59 victory over Jacksonville on Saturday.

Chad Jackson added 15 points and Tyler White 13 for the Norse (9-11, 3-2 Atlantic Sun), who matched their win total from all of last season. Billups continued his hot shooting in Atlantic Sun play, where he is shooting 82.5 percent while averaging 16.2 points. Jackson is averaging 12 points in conference play on 60.5 percent shooting.

Josh Adeyeye scored 16 points, 11 in the first half, to lead the Dolphins (7-15, 1-4). J.R. Holder, with 12 in the first half, scored 15.

The Dolphins shot 50 percent in the first half, making 5 of 6 3-pointers, but still trailed 43-32 with Northern Kentucky shooting 61.5 percent. Jacksonville cooled off to 40.8 percent overall but the Norse finished 30 of 56 for 53.6 percent.

Todd Johnson made five of the Norse's nine steals.