The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team used torrid shooting early to build an advantage and ride to a 72-61 victory over UIC on Thursday night in Horizon League action.
The win was NKU’s third-straight as the Norse improved to 13-8 overall and 5-5 in Horizon League play to kick off the second half of the League schedule. Christine Roush led three Norse in double-figures with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field. Kasey Uetrecht scored 16 points and grabbed a team-best six rebounds, while Molly Glick set a new career high with 15 points, going 3-for-4 from downtown.
As a team, NKU shot 48 percent from the field and teamed up for 18 assists on its 24 made baskets, led by Rianna Gayheart with four.
The Norse started off firing from beyond the arc, connecting for three on their first four made baskets of the game. A 9-0 run in the later part of the opening frame extended NKU’s lead to 18-8 with 2:13 remaining in the first quarter. UIC came back with a 7-2 run of their own, cutting NKU’s advantage to 25-20 at the end of the first.
A pair of Christine Roush layups started an 8-0 run for the Norse midway through the second quarter, extending NKU’s lead to 16 points at 35-19. The Norse finished the half knocking down six of their final seven shots to carry a 41-26 lead to the locker room.
Glick got the Norse started right after intermission, scoring the first five points of the third quarter to give NKU its largest lead of the night at 46-26. UIC rallied back, knocking down four-consecutive shots, including three from long range, to cut into the Norse lead, but NKU carried a double-digit advantage into the fourth at 56-45.
The Flames put on the pressure defensively in the final stanza, but NKU was able to manage the lead and claim the victory, 72-61.
Kendyl Nunn led the Flames offense with 18 points, while Ruvanna Campbell claimed a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
The Norse now turn their attention to Valparaiso, where NKU will close out its string of four-straight on the road. Tipoff on Saturday is set for 2:30 p.m. Eastern with the action carried live on ESPN3.
NORSE NOTES
· NKU forced 16 UIC turnovers, including seven steals, and scored 18 points off the takeaways. Seven different Norse players each claimed one steal in the team defensive effort.
· NKU shot 94.4 percent (17-of-18) from the free-throw line, marking the third time this season the Norse have shot 90 percent or greater from the charity stripe.
· Thursday’s win was NKU’s sixth of the season away from BB&T Arena, matching their total from each of the last three seasons.
Late run comes up short in NKU men’s loss
A late run came up just short as the Northern Kentucky men’s basketball team dropped a Horizon League meeting with Green Bay, 85-78, on Thursday night.
Jalen Billups led Northern Kentucky (8-14, 4-7 Horizon League) with his third double-double of the year. He had a game-high-tying 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting to go along with a game-best 12 boards.
Lavone Holland II added 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Drew McDonald chipped in with 12 points and five boards, while Tyler White tallied 11 points.
Billups and McDonald combined for 18 first-half points for the Norse, but NKU trailed 37-32 at the break. Holland dished out six assists in the frame. Northern Kentucky shot 43.8 percent (14-of-32) from the floor and Green Bay connected on 50 percent (13-of-26).
After the Phoenix pushed ahead by 10 four minutes into the second half, the Norse scored five-unanswered. Then, following a GB three NKU went on an 8-0 run to even the score at 47.
However, Green Bay scored 19 of the next 25 points to push back in front, 66-52.
The Norse answered.
A 13-6 run that opened with a Holland jumper and ended with Deontae Cole’s three pulled NKU within four points, 82-78, with 51 seconds left.
Three Green Bay free throws down the stretch sealed the game, 85-78.
NKU shot 45.5 percent (30-of-66) from the floor and GB connected on 48.1 percent (26-of-54). The Norse won the rebound battle, 37-33.
Carrington Love led Green Bay (14-9, 6-4 Horizon League) with 18 points, while Jordan Fouse added 14 points and 10 boards.
Northern Kentucky hosts Milwaukee Saturday, Feb. 6, in the finale of a three-game homestand. The game concludes a week of Homecoming festivities at NKU. Prior to the contest an alumni chili cook-off will take place and, at halftime a King and Queen will be crowned. Additionally, the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a 3’x5’ NKU flag.
Game Notes
· White’s 11 points elevated him to 999-career points. He needs just one to become the 25th player to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
· Billups’ double-double was his third of the season. The first two came against Eastern Illinois (17 points, 10 rebounds) and SEMO (17 points, 11 rebounds).
· NKU entered the game third in Horizon League contests in assists at 15.2. The Norse eclipsed that average with 17.
From NKU Athletics