#HLMBB Three Stars of the Day - Monday, March 9
INDIANAPOLIS - UIC will play for its first Horizon League championship since 2004. Northern Kentucky will make its third championship game appearance in four tournaments in search of a second title. The matchup for an automatic bid in the NCAA tournament was created by several outstanding performances Monday night. Here are the three stars of the men’s semifinal games.
Tarkus Ferguson, UIC: Ferguson, a junior guard, led the fourth-seeded Flames in their 73-56 victory over defending champion and top-seeded Wright State. Ferguson’s season-high 25 points, two less than his career-high, were the result of 8-of-13 shooting (3-of-8 from 3-point range) and all six of his free throws. Ferguson’s eight field goals equaled his season-high total. Ferguson was held to six points in the quarterfinal victory over Youngstown State, but his career-high 13 rebounds became an important factor in the UIC victory.
Tyler Sharpe, Northern Kentucky: Sharpe, a senior guard, played nearly 38 minutes to lead the second-seeded Norse past No. 3 Green Bay. He scored 20 points – 5.1 above his average -- on 8-of-16 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers. His contribution was especially valuable during a second half in which the Norse outscored the Phoenix, 51-39. Sharpe scored 16 of his 20 points after halftime as a result of 6-of-10 shooting.
Jalen Tate, Northern Kentucky: Tate, a junior guard, led the Norse with 23 points and had six rebounds. He made nine of 11 free throws in the second half.