HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (Interstat) — LJ Wells scored 35 points to lead Northern Kentucky to a 96-71 men’s college basketball victory over Detroit on Thursday night at BB&T Arena. The Norse built a commanding 52-37 halftime lead and never relented in the Horizon League matchup before a crowd of 2,106. Wells, who added three assists in 31 minutes, spearheaded a balanced Northern Kentucky attack that improved the team to 13-6 overall. Dan Gherezgher and Donovan Oday each added 15 points for the Norse. TJ Nadeau led Detroit with 14 points, while London Maiden contributed 11. The Titans fell to 7-10 with the loss.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (Interstat) — LJ Wells scored a game-high 35 points and the Northern Kentucky Norse used a dominant first-half offensive explosion to cruise past the Detroit Mercy Titans 96-71 in Horizon League men’s basketball action Thursday night at BB&T Arena. The Norse, improving to 13-6 overall and 4-2 in conference play, seized control from the opening tip and never looked back, building a 52-37 halftime lead. Northern Kentucky shot a blistering 54.2% from the field in the game while holding Detroit to a frigid 38.5% shooting performance. The disparity at the free-throw line was equally stark, with the Norse converting 23 of 31 attempts compared to just 3 of 9 for the Titans. Wells, a 6-foot-8 forward from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was the catalyst, efficiently reaching his 35 points in just 31 minutes of action. He added three assists and was a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line. His performance set the tone for a balanced Norse attack that saw four other players reach double figures. Dan Gherezgher and Donovan Oday each contributed 15 points, while Kael Robinson added 10. The most important sequence of the game came early, effectively burying Detroit before the contest was ten minutes old. After a London Maiden layup brought the Titans within 10-8, Northern Kentucky unleashed a devastating 24-4 run over the next six and a half minutes. The surge was fueled by relentless defensive pressure that forced Detroit into difficult shots and a fluid, unselfish offense. Wells and Gherezgher combined for 14 points during the stretch, which included a pair of three-pointers from Gherezgher and punctuated by a thunderous Ethan Elliott-assisted dunk from Donovan Rakotonanahary that pushed the lead to 34-12. Detroit, which fell to 7-10 overall and 2-4 in the Horizon, could never mount a serious challenge. The Titans were plagued by poor shot selection and an inability to string together defensive stops. TJ Nadeau led Detroit with 14 points, all in the first half, while Maiden finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Orlando Lovejoy dished out three assists but struggled with his shot, finishing 4-of-15 from the field for nine points. Northern Kentucky’s offensive efficiency was remarkable, scoring 96 points on just 76 possessions for an offensive rating of 126.8. Detroit managed only 71 points on 75 possessions, an offensive rating of 94.3. The Norse also protected the rim effectively, recording five blocks as a team, with Oday and Tae Dozier each swatting two shots. The victory keeps Northern Kentucky near the top of the Horizon League standings as they prepare to host Robert Morris on Saturday. Detroit, meanwhile, will look to regroup quickly before a road test at IU Indy on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in Detroit on Jan. 30. An announced crowd of 2,106 watched the Norse dominate in all phases. Northern Kentucky entered the game as a 10.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, easily covering the spread. The total points scored, 167, surpassed the pregame over/under line of 158.

Preview: Detroit Titans at Northern Kentucky Norse HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (Interstat) — The Northern Kentucky Norse, riding a strong start to Horizon League play, will look to defend their home court against the visiting Detroit Mercy Titans on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at BB&T Arena. The Norse (12-6 overall) enter the matchup with momentum, having won four of their last five games. Their conference campaign features a notable 85-67 road victory at Milwaukee on Jan. 9. Northern Kentucky’s offense is powered by guard Donovan Oday, who is coming off a career-high 31-point performance in a narrow 80-78 loss at Green Bay on Sunday. Oday has averaged 19.5 points over his last six contests, establishing himself as a primary scoring threat. Detroit (7-9) arrives after snapping a two-game skid with a 94-84 home win over Cleveland State on Sunday. The Titans’ success hinges on the dynamic play of guard Orlando Lovejoy, who nearly recorded a triple-double in that victory with 18 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Lovejoy has been a consistent force, scoring 20 or more points in three of his last five outings. This contest pits Northern Kentucky’s efficient, high-scoring attack against a Detroit team seeking consistency. The Norse have proven formidable at home this season, while the Titans have struggled on the road, including non-conference losses at Michigan State and DePaul in November. The matchup will feature a compelling backcourt duel between Oday and Lovejoy, whose playmaking could be the key to an upset. Detroit will also need a repeat of the interior presence shown against Cleveland State, where Ryan Kalambay posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams, with the rematch scheduled for Jan. 30 in Detroit. Thursday’s game will be a test of Northern Kentucky’s standing near the top of the Horizon League and Detroit’s ability to string together conference wins. Up Next: Following Thursday’s game, Northern Kentucky hosts Robert Morris on Saturday. Detroit travels to face IU Indy on Saturday.