Box Score HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.—An 18-minute, 51-second drought between field goals proved too much for the Christian Brothers University Bucs to overcome in a 51-44 loss at Northern Kentucky Friday night.

Early on, the Bucs (3-1) appeared on their way to a good start, jumping to an 11-1 lead in the first five minutes and extending it to 16-5 on a Michael Drake (Little Rock, Ark./Catholic HS) basket with 9:51 remaining in the half.

From there, the Bucs would not score again until a Zack Warner (St. Louis, Mo./Clayton HS) free throw with 16:49 to go in the second half, and they would not score from the field until a Daniel Wulker (Cincinnati, Ohio/Moeller HS) layup with 11:00 remaining.  NKU (2-0) scored 22 straight points before Warner's free throw to take a 27-16 lead, and they built the lead to as many as 15 points at 35-20.

Once Wulker's basket broke the ice, the Bucs fought their way back into the game, cutting the lead to 40-33 on a Scott Dennis (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sycamore HS) layup with 9:10 remaining, then as close as 47-44 when Dennis made back-to-back layups with 1:19 remaining.  The Bucs got a stop on defense, but their potential game-tying three-pointer on the other end missed with 23 seconds remaining, and NKU salted the game away by making all four free throws in the final 21 seconds.

Dennis carried the Bucs again with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Warner scored 13 points as he was 11-of-14 at the free throw line.

Malcolm Eleby led the Norse with 19 points and eight rebounds, and Tennessee transfer Josh Tabb scored 11.

The Bucs shot just 26.1 percent (12-of-46) for the game, including 12.5 percent (2-of-16) from three-point range.  During their long field goal drought, the Bucs were 0-for-17 from the field with eight turnovers, and they were 8-of-10 at the free throw line.  NKU shot 47.1 percent (16-of-34) overall.  NKU out-rebounded the Bucs 31-30 but committed 13 turnovers to the Bucs' 10.

The Bucs will try to bounce back tomorrow as they take on Cincinnati-Clermont at NKU.  Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.  The Bucs come home Tuesday night at 7 p.m. to face Lambuth.