The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team struggled to overcome a hot-shooting Milwaukee team as it fell 86-60 to the Panthers on Saturday at BB&T Arena.
With the loss, NKU dips to 10-8 overall and 2-5 in the Horizon League while the Panthers improve to 11-7 and 5-2 in the League.
Kelley Wiegman led the Norse with 12 points while Christine Roush posted 10 points and five rebounds.
Courtney Roush and Kasey Uetrecht each chipped in eight points apiece while Roush had a team-high six boards.
The Panthers were led by Steph Kostowicz 23 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor.
An early triple from Uetrecht and layup from Christine Roush got the Norse on the board, but a stifling Panther defense helped Milwaukee out to an early lead. The Norse then held the Panthers scoreless for the final three minutes of the quarter to cut the deficit to 17-10 and break up a 12-0 Milwaukee run.
Back-to-back treys from Wiegman cut the Milwaukee lead to 22-16 with 6:47 left in the opening half but the Panthers reclaimed a double-digit lead with six-straight points.
The Norse used the charity stripe to battle back, shooting 13-of-15 from the line in the opening half. Milwaukee held a 43-30 advantage at the intermission after pushing ahead from long range, sinking eight triples in the first 20 minutes.
Milwaukee continued to pull away in the second half with the help of 60 percent shooting (15-of-25) from the field.
The Norse built up some momentum at the conclusion of the third quarter, taking off on a 12-3 run and forcing a trio of Milwaukee turnovers. NKU trailed 63-50 heading into the final 10 minutes, but struggled to catch up to the Panthers.
Next up, Northern Kentucky open the longest road swing of the season as it travels for four Horizon League contests beginning with a 7 p.m. tilt against Cleveland State on Thursday, Jan. 28.
NORSE NOTES:
— The Norse have forced 15 or more turnovers in 16 of their 18 games this season after forcing 19 Panther miscues on Saturday.
— Courtney Roush’s six rebounds represented a career high. The senior has pulled down 11 boards over the last two games.
— NKU got 37 points off the bench as nine different Norse scored.
From NKU Athletics