Robinson's Game Winner Gives Darrin Horn 100th Career Victory, NKU Tops IU Indy, 66-64

by Sean Mackey

Northern Kentucky men’s basketball opened Horizon League play with a dramatic victory over IU Indianapolis, edging the Jaguars 66-64 on a buzzer-beater goaltending call in "The Jungle." The win marked NKU head coach Darrin Horn’s 100th career victory with the program and extended the Norse's winning streak against IU Indy to six games.

Game Recap

The Norse (3-6, 1-0 Horizon League) started strong, jumping to an early 7-0 lead and building a double-digit advantage at 19-9. However, the Jaguars, fueled by sharp shooting from Paul Zilinskas, surged back to lead 33-29 at halftime.

The second half was a showcase of resilience and strategic adjustments. Trey Robinson, who led NKU with 19 points, delivered key plays down the stretch, including his 1,000th career point on a layup late in the game. He capped his performance with a reverse layup that drew a decisive goaltending call with 1.1 seconds left, securing the victory.

“Big-time players make big-time plays,” Horn said postgame. “I’m proud of the fight our team showed today.”

Key Contributions

• Trey Robinson: 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists, including the game-winner.
• Josh Dilling: Season-high 17 points, shooting 5-of-9 from beyond the arc, including the clutch three-pointer that gave NKU a 64-62 lead with 18 seconds remaining.
• Keeyan Itejere: Defensive standout with five blocks, tying a career high, and pivotal stops during NKU's late-game surge.
• Randall Pettus II: Nine points, five assists, and three steals in his first start of the season.

The Norse excelled in transition, outscoring the Jaguars 19-3 on fast breaks and dominating in the paint with a 26-14 scoring advantage.

IU Indianapolis Shines Despite the Loss

The Jaguars (5-6, 1-1 Horizon League) showed grit and determination, with Paul Zilinskas tallying 24 points and Jarvis Walker adding 23. Walker also notched his 1,000th collegiate point, a milestone spread across three programs in his career.

Junior Sean Craig anchored IU Indy's defense, pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds. The Jaguars held a 29-25 rebounding edge and shot an impressive 51.1% from the field, including 10-of-20 from three-point range.

“We fought all day against a really good program,” Jaguars head coach Paul Corsaro said. “It’s a tough way to lose, but we’ll grow from this.”

Critical Moments

• NKU trailed 60-52 with just over five minutes remaining but closed the game on a 14-4 run.
• Defensive stops by Itejere and timely baskets from Dilling and Robinson propelled the comeback.
• The controversial ending came after a Sam Vinson jumper wedged between the rim and backboard, leaving NKU possession with 1.1 seconds.

Looking Ahead

NKU will host the University of the Cumberlands on Wednesday, December 11, to begin a four-game homestand. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Norse aim to build on their thrilling victory, while IU Indy looks to regroup as they continue Horizon League play.