Box Score HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.—Northern Kentucky guard Dustin Maguire made a jumper as the buzzer sounded to lift the host Norse to a 59-57 win over the Christian Brothers University Bucs Saturday night in the championship game of the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic.

Maguire's game-winner capped a late rally for the Norse (2-1) after the Bucs (2-1) had led 48-40 with 12:04 remaining and 52-47 with 10:36 to play.  The pace slowed to a halt in the final minutes, with the Bucs held scoreless for nearly eight minutes after a Kyle Couvion (Dayton, Ohio/Centerville HS) layup had given them the 52-47 lead.

Connor Wetzel (Cincinnati, Ohio/Wyoming HS) tied the game at 54 with a layup with 2:41 remaining, and the score remained 54-all until the final minute.  Maguire knocked down a triple with 26 seconds remaining to give NKU the lead, but Couvion answered at the 17-second mark to tie the score back up at 57, setting up Maguire's game-winner as time expired.

Zack Warner (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton HS) continued his strong play for the Bucs, pouring in 27 points with seven rebounds and three assists, making 10-of-16 from the floor and 3-of-5 from three-point range.  Couvion added 10.  Wetzel scored eight, while Dennis and Michael Drake (Little Rock, Ark./Catholic HS) added six each.  Dennis also had six rebounds and a game-high five assists.

David Palmer and Dennis Gagai led the Norse with 11 each, while Maguire and Erik Stenger added 10 each.

The Bucs shot 52.2 percent (22-of-42) from the floor, including 43.8 percent (7-of-16) from three-point range, while NKU was 48.9 percent (23-of-47) overall and 29.4 percent (5-of-17) from three-point range.

NKU held a 25-23 edge on the boards, including a 7-3 margin in offensive rebounds, and they forced 15 turnovers while committing 12.

The Bucs finish their season-opening four-game road trip Tuesday night at 6 p.m. as they visit West Georgia.  The Bucs' home opener, featuring the presentation of their NCAA Division II South Regional Championship rings, will be Saturday, Nov. 28, against North Alabama.  Tip-off is set for 4 p.m., with the ring presentation scheduled for halftime of the 2 p.m. women's game.