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MUNCIE, Ind. –
Christine Roush made seven 3-pointers and finished with 23 points as Northern Kentucky University held on for a 69-67 victory at Ball State on Saturday.
Roush, a freshman guard from Louisville, Ky., also added seven assists and three steals as NKU improved to 2-5. Her seven 3-pointers were one shy of the school record of eight, set by Shannon Roddy on Feb. 1, 1997.
“It was really exciting to get our first win on the road,” said Roush, who earlier this season netted a career-high 24 points against Youngstown State. “We had to work hard to stop them from driving and penetrating against us. I felt like we did a really good job defensively of not fouling.”
NKU shot 64 percent from the field in the second half to build a 14-point lead (52-38) with 12:20 remaining in the game. Ball State (3-7) rallied, cut the Norse advantage to a point twice and trailed 69-67 with 29 seconds left on a basket by Shanee' Jackson, who was fouled on the play.
Jackson missed the free throw, but Ball State gathered in the offensive rebound and called a timeout. The Cardinals again looked to Jackson, who missed a layup that was rebounded by
Kayla Thacker with 14 seconds remaining.
Ball State fouled Thacker, who missed the front end of the bonus. The Cardinals gave the ball to Jackson, who worked her way inside for a layup attempt that was off the mark. She grabbed the offensive rebound, but time expired before another shot could be taken.
Thacker added 11 points and seven rebounds for NKU, while teammate
Kaitlyn Gerrety finished with 10 points off the bench.
Tiara Hopper scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds as the Norse finished with a 38-27 advantage on the glass.
A week ago at Missouri State, the Norse lost the battle of the boards by a 68-38 count and surrendered 35 offensive rebounds. On Saturday, NKU allowed just eight offensive rebounds to Ball State.
“I thought our players battled inside, did a good job offensively of getting to the glass, and defensively of trying to limit them to one shot,” NKU head coach
Dawn Plitzuweit said. “I thought they played really hard and aggressive and found a way to win.”
Rianna Gayheart dished out seven assists and collected five rebounds for NKU, which posted its first road victory as a Division I program. The Norse were 11-for-24 from 3-point range, including 6-for-10 shooting in the second half.
Jackson led four Ball State players in double figures with 18 points.
NKU takes the next week off for exams and returns to action Dec. 16, when Butler visits The Bank of Kentucky Center at 2 p.m.
