Men’s Basketball eases past Spalding (Ky.) 79-52

By Bud Denega 

SPRINGFIELD — The Ohio Northern men's basketball team celebrated the opening round of the Wittenberg Kiwanis Holiday Tournament with a stress-free victory Sunday. The Polar Bears eased past Spalding (Ky.) 79-52 to improve to 4-5 on the season.

Junior Thomas Phillips (Kenton) backed up his career-high performance before the Christmas holiday with another impressive showing Sunday. He tallied a game-high 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting. Phillips added seven rebounds and two blocks.

Freshman C.J. Napier (Miamisburg/Bishop Fenwick) returned from injury, scoring 13 points on 5 of 6 accuracy with five rebounds. Senior Austin Allemeier (Elida) and freshman Landen Long (Mason) chipped in 11 points apiece. 

The Polar Bears connected on 48.2 percent (27 of 56) of their field-goal attempts and 21.4 percent (3 of 14) of their attempts from 3-point land. Northern out-rebounded the Eagles 35-25. 

Spalding (1-8) made 37.3 percent (19 of 51) of its shots from the floor and 24 percent (6 of 25) from deep. Jaiquan Edwards led the Eagles with 12 points. 

It took ONU just under six minutes to build a double-digit lead at 16-6. The Polar Bears stretched their advantage to 39-20 at halftime. Northern ballooned its cushion to as large as 30 points with a touch under 11 minutes to play in the game before settling for its comfortable victory. 

The Polar Bears close the tournament playing either No. 3 Wittenberg or Elmira (N.Y.) Monday at 7 p.m.