Ellen Holton lines up a shot against Northeastern State on Thursday.
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HONOLULU - Even in the perfect weather of Hawaii, Northern Kentucky University's women could not escape the brutal cold.
NKU, in fact, was downright arctic from the field Thursday night during a 50-36 loss to Northeastern (Okla.) State in the Oahu Classic. The Norse (2-1) made just 25 percent of their shots from the field en route to tying an ominous school record for fewest points scored.
The 36 points scored equaled the lowest total in Norse history, which was set twice previously during road losses at Wisconsin-Parkside (50-36 on Feb. 28, 2010, and 44-36 on Jan. 15, 2011).
Northeastern State (3-0), which is ranked No. 19 in the Division II national poll, jumped out to a 10-2 lead and owned a 28-16 advantage at halftime after holding NKU to 4-for-21 (19 percent) shooting from the field. The RiverHawks extended their lead to as many as 18 points in the second half.
NKU cut the Northeastern State lead to 40-30 on a 3-pointer by
Melody Doss with 11:04 left, but the Norse scored just six points the remainder of the game. The RiverHawks finished at 43.5 percent shooting from the field and won the rebounding battle by a 36-32 count.
It marked the first meeting between the two schools in women's basketball.
Doss (pictured right battling for a rebound) led NKU with nine points, and the freshman forward also grabbed five rebounds.
Sadie Bowling grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists for the Norse.
NKU leading scorer
Casse Mogan was held to two points on 1-for-11 shooting from the field. Norse senior guard
Maria Bennett finished 2-for-13 from the field, including 2-for-10 from 3-point range.
NKU wraps up play Friday at midnight (Eastern time) with a game against BYU-Hawaii (0-1). Lewis defeated BYU-Hawaii, 81-62, on Thursday.
