Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box score | Photo gallery

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Ellen Holton scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team posted a 66-52 win against Wayne State (Mich.) on Saturday.

Holton was 8-for-11 from the field, including a 3-pointer in the first half. The 6-foot-1 sophomore, in her first season at NKU after transferring from Tusculum, is now averaging 9.7 points per game.

“We were breaking their press really well,” Holton said of NKU's ability to beat the Wayne State pressure. “I get my points because my team helps me out. We play really well together.”

Casse Mogan added 17 points and five rebounds for NKU, which won its third straight game and improved to 4-2. The Norse shot 55.8 percent from the field and held Wayne State (0-5) to 34 percent accuracy from the field.

Mogan netted 12 points in the first half and Holton added 11 as NKU built a 38-25 lead at the break. Shanece Miller contributed seven points off the bench before halftime for NKU.

“We want to have a strong post presence. If we do, then that person is going to get the ball and have opportunities to score,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “Ellen has figured that out. She was a shooting forward at Tusculum, but I think power forward is her position, and scoring is what she does. It's nice that we have that because of losing Brandi [Rayburn] from last year. Brandi was a sure scorer.

“You have to get some 'easy points,' although they're not easy down there. But when you don't, then you make the guards do a lot. Ellen is a welcome addition to our team.”

The Norse held the Warriors to just 24.1 percent shooting from the field in the second half to coast to the win. NKU, which dropped a 62-57 decision to the Warriors last season at Detroit, Mich., is now 10-1 all-time against Wayne State.

Kayla Thacker added six points for NKU, while teammate Sadie Bowling finished with four rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. The Norse were just 15-for-27 at the free-throw line and committed 19 turnovers.

“I just feel like there is a level that I want us to play at, and we're not there yet, so it's a bit of a frustrating situation for me,” Winstel said after recording her 640th collegiate coaching victory. “I see what looms ahead in [Great Lakes Valley Conference] play, and I see that we're sloppy right now.

"Wayne State is a good team, so it's a good win. They're physical and tough, but I think that we've got to get better in lots of ways, whether it's foul shooting or defense. Those are things that need to be there on a regular basis.”

NKU plays host to Southern Indiana at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the GLVC opener for both teams.