Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.  - At halftime of Saturday's game against Salem International, the Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team was shooting 27.8 percent from the field. But the Norse owned a 26-point lead.
Despite shooting 10-for-36 from the field in the opening 20 minutes, NKU took a 36-10 lead into the locker room and coasted to a 75-19 victory against the visiting Tigers. The Norse (2-0) finished at 37.9 percent from the field and held Salem International (0-4) to 17.5 percent shooting.

“We wanted to get out in the passing lanes and cause as much trouble as possible,” Norse assistant coach Gabby Johnson said of the NKU defense, which stifled Salem International the entire game.

The 19 points allowed equaled the lowest total in Norse history, tying a record that had previously been set on Feb. 20, 1992, when NKU posted a 110-19 win over Kentucky State.

NKU scored the first 13 points of the game Saturday and was never threatened. A 3-pointer by Maria Bennett with 4:57 left in the first half gave the Norse a 27-7 bulge, and the rout had officially commenced.

Senior guard Casse Mogan scored 15 points to lead NKU, which forced Salem International into 25 turnovers. Freshman center Kaitlyn Gerrety added 11 points, while teammates Sadie Bowling and Melody Doss each netted 10.

“We did a good job of not letting them get good shots off,” Mogan said after NKU forced the Tigers into 7-for-40 shooting from the field.

Bowling and Doss each grabbed seven rebounds for NKU, which finished with a 50-29 advantage on the boards. Kayla Thacker dished out three assists for the Norse, who are now 4-0 all-time against Salem International.

“Coach (Nancy Winstel) told the people on the bench to be ready and be focused, and when you get in there, to do your job and play hard,” Doss said.

NKU will escape the cold Midwest weather this week by traveling to Hawaii for the Oahu Classic. The Norse will play Northeastern (Okla.) State at 10 p.m. (Eastern time) in the opener of the event Thursday night.

A total of 10 teams will participate in the Oahu Classic in Hawaii. NKU wraps up play Friday at midnight (Eastern time) with a game against BYU-Hawaii.