Tayler Persons scored 23 points to lead Northern Kentucky to a 79-74 victory over Idaho on Saturday night.
Persons, who shot 7 of 9 from the field and made 9 of 10 free throw attempts, scored 11 in the final 5:21 to secure the win.
The Norse led 57-47 with 10:16 remaining. Mike Scott made two free throws, Connor Hill nailed a 3-pointer and the Vandals closed to 67-66 with 3:15 to play. Scott’s layup tied it at 68 at the 2:33 mark.
Persons answered with two free throws and Tyler White and Chad Jackson each made layups to stretch the lead to 74-69 with 53 seconds left. Persons then made 5 of 6 from the line to seal it.
Daniel Camps scored 14 points, Cole Murray had 11 and Jalen Billups chipped in 10 for Northern Kentucky (3-3).
Hill scored 22 points to lead Idaho (2-3).