Kelsey Simpson helped NKU defeat Wisconsin-Parkside on Saturday.
Box score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – When Northern Kentucky University needed big plays late in the game Saturday, up stepped
Casse Mogan on both ends of the court.
Mogan scored 15 points and blocked a shot late in the game to help NKU post a 62-60 win over Wisconsin-Parkside. Mogan's basket with 1:22 remaining gave NKU a 61-60 lead, but the sophomore guard wasn't finished with her late-game heroics.
On Wisconsin-Parkside's next possession, Mogan blocked Jadee Rooney's jumper from the right corner and grabbed the rebound. NKU was unable to capitalize, and Wisconsin-Parkside had two chances to tie the score.
Both attempts, however, were off the mark and Mogan gathered in the rebound and drew a foul. She made one of two free throws with nine seconds left on the clock to extend NKU's lead to 62-60.
Wisconsin-Parkside dribbled the ball up the court and called a timeout with 3.7 seconds left to set up a final play. The Rangers, however, turned the ball over with a second left, and time expired on NKU's ensuing inbounds pass.
NKU improved to 10-6 overall, 4-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Wisconsin-Parkside dropped to 14-3 overall, 6-2 GLVC.
Brandi Rayburn added 12 points for NKU, which built a 53-39 lead with 11:41 remaining. Wisconsin-Parkside, however, used a 15-2 run to cut the Norse advantage to 55-54 on a pair of free throws by Britanny Beyer at the 5:41 mark.
The Rangers eventually took a 60-59 lead on Kristen Ruchti's basket, but Mogan responded with her clutch basket and NKU held on for the crucial GLVC win.
Rooney scored 18 points to lead the Rangers, and Ruchti added 12 points off the bench.
NKU plays at Maryville (Mo.) at 2 p.m. Monday in a GLVC contest before returning home to meet Kentucky Wesleyan next Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
