Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Ashley Bey made four free throws in the final 36 seconds of the game as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville held on for a 56-53 win over Northern Kentucky University on Wednesday night.

Bey's final two free throws with eight seconds left on the clock gave SIUE (3-15) a 56-53 edge. After a timeout, NKU's Casse Mogan missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer and SIUE snapped its nine-game losing streak.

Going into Wednesday night, SIUE had not won a game since Dec. 2. The Cougars also had not beaten NKU since the 2006-07 season.

Mogan led NKU (9-6) with 16 points, and Rachel Lantry added 13. The Norse, who led by five points at halftime, shot just 36.7 percent from the field for the game.

After trailing by as many as seven points in the second half, SIUE eventually forged a 52-48 lead with 2:50 remaining when Michaela Herrod grabbed an offense rebound and powered her way for a layup. NKU countered by scoring the next five points, taking a 53-52 advantage on Mogan's jumper with 46 seconds left on the clock.

Bey drew a foul with 36 seconds remaining and calmly sank both free throws to give SIUE a 54-53 lead. Mogan then attempted a short jumper in the lane, but Raven Berry barely deflected the shot and Bey grabbed the rebound with eight seconds left. Her two free throws provided the three-point cushion, and the Cougars survived Mogan's last-second 3-point attempt.

Melia Duncan led SIUE with 14 points, and Bey added 12. NKU owns a 22-9 lead in the all-time series against the Cougars, who are making the transition to NCAA Division I status.

Berry pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. SIUE finished with a 40-36 advantage on the glass, including 15 offensive rebounds. Herrod grabbed seven rebounds, including three offensive boards.

Sadie Bowling finished with 11 points for NKU, while teammate Whitney Levering added nine points. Lantry led NKU with seven rebounds, and Levering added six boards.

NKU plays host to Wisconsin-Parkside at 1 p.m. Saturday.