Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Three weeks ago, the Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team stood 1-2 after dropping consecutive games to Nova Southeastern and Charleston (W.Va.).

Six consecutive victories later, that 1-2 start is a distant memory for the NKU players and coaches.

Casse Mogan scored 18 points and added four steals as NKU won its sixth consecutive game by posting a 63-45 triumph against Tiffin on Wednesday night. Kelsey Simpson added 12 points for the Norse, who improved to 7-2 with the victory.

The Norse shot 51.2 percent from the field and forced 20 turnovers by Tiffin (5-2) to pick up the non-conference victory. NKU, which led the entire game, held the visiting Dragons to just 34.7 percent shooting from the field and finished with a 31-29 rebounding edge.

“Tiffin is really a good team, and they shoot the ball well,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “You have to put pressure on them and have hands up defensively because if you give them a wide open look, they're going to hit it. I don't think we played as well defensively as we normally do, and you have to give Tiffin some credit for that.

“I also think it's the week before finals, and every kid in the country who is conscientious academically has their head somewhere else at times. I also think coming off those two wins against Southern Indiana and Indianapolis last weekend caused us to be a little flat tonight, but I will tell you I'll take this because Tiffin is a good team. I don't think we played our best, but we played well enough to win the game.”

NKU methodically built a 31-21 lead at halftime by shooting 52 percent from the field. Mogan and Ellen Holton both netted eight points before the break to lead the Norse. Tiffin cut the NKU lead to five twice in the second half, but the Norse held the Dragons scoreless the final five minutes of the game to seal the win.

Mogan, a junior guard from Circleville, Ohio, was 7-for-13 from the field and also added five rebounds. She now has 743 career points, which is 44th in Norse history. Mogan, who has scored in double figures in eight straight games, needs just three points to pass Heather Livingstone for 43rd place on the list.

Jaimie Hamlet added nine points for NKU, which is 3-0 against teams from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this season. The Norse also posted wins against Lake Erie and Wayne State (Mich.) earlier this season. Sadie Bowling scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds, while Stephanie Hodges dished out five assists.

“I think Tiffin is going to beat a lot of people. They beat Ferris State at Ferris, which is a huge win. They gave Grand Valley, who is a top-10 team in the country, all they wanted,” Winstel said. “They have a lot of confidence as a team, and they know they can shoot the ball. We have a lot of respect for them. We knew it was going to be a tough game, and we needed this win.”

NKU plays host to NAIA powerhouse Saint Francis (Ind.) Saturday at 2 p.m. Saint Francis has already beaten Great Lakes Valley Conference members Bellarmine and Southern Indiana this season.