Northern Kentucky's chance to claim sole possession of first place in the Horizon League will have to wait a week after the Norse lost 84-81 to Wright State on Thursday night at BB&T Arena.
The matchup paired the only unbeaten teams in conference play. NKU hosts Cleveland State on Monday night at 7:30 p.m.
Here are some takeaways from the loss to the Raiders.
First things first
Other than head coach John Brannen or anyone inside the NKU locker room, few others would complain about the 4-1 league start. While Thursday night was a setback, Brannen and his captains Lavone Holland II and Drew McDonald called the loss a teaching moment in a season that's still developing. If this loss came in say, late February, maybe there'd justifiable concern.
"Cincy loves Benzinger"
Northern Kentucky doesn't. Wright State guard Grant Benzinger, a Moeller grad, entered the game averaging 14.6 points this season. He left the gym with a game-high 31-point performance. More than once, the senior controlled the game's flow entirely. After a blistering start, he scored 10 points inside three minutes late in the second half to push the Raiders to a solid road win. Brannen said his team didn't guard the player well enough. Benzinger scored 29 when the teams met at Motor City Madness last season. When the Norse walked toward the locker room, there was a sign that said "Cincy hearts Benzinger" waiting nearby.
Staying Sharpe
Tyler Sharpe has been an NKU utility man this season, often coming off the bench and being utilized as a 3-point specialist. But at times against Wright State, he ignited his team on both end, with steals and critical shots. Finishing with 10 points, his four-point first half was more influential for the Norse as he helped chip away at a 12-point deficit. After the game, Brannen said Sharpe saw more minutes as others were under prepared. Though he did say Sharpe, who played 23 minutes, will likely see his time on the floor increase.
Streaky starts
One noticeable feature of NKU's conference games have been the inconsistent starts. In the three home conference games so far, the Norse have found themselves trailing by double digits in the first half twice now. The other game was 49-16 first-half romp. Away at Oakland, they started fast. At Detroit Mercy, they started slow. Wright State was slow, too. Perhaps it's a nitpicky characteristic, but it's one to watch. The Norse have trailed at halftime in their last three games. Brannen was quick to say he'd rather lead at the end of a game. Enough said.
McDonald earning it the hard way
Before last week's road trip, McDonald had four-consecutive double doubles. Since then, he's still produced, but he's having a more difficult time doing so. More than once the captain has appeared to force shots in an effort to revitalize the Norse offense. In the past two games he's shot 5 of 17 and 6 of 17. While he was a rebound away from consecutive double doubles, the low shooting percentages have been uncharacteristic in comparison to the majority of this season.