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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Melody Doss was nearly perfect Wednesday night as the Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team remained unbeaten after two games.
Doss scored a career-high 29 points on 11-for-12 shooting from the field to lead NKU to a 61-48 win over Illinois State in The Bank of Kentucky Center. Doss, a junior forward, also grabbed nine rebounds, collected five steals and blocked three shots as NKU improved to 2-0.
"It really boosts your confidence, and you just can't be afraid," Doss said. "If you miss a shot, who cares? Coach tells us all the time don't dwell on the past. If you miss a shot, keep your head up and just shoot the next one. You just have to keep moving forward."
Doss did exactly that Wednesday night, surpassing her previous career-high point total for the second straight game. On Saturday, the Norse had knocked off Cincinnati by a 77-61 score as Doss netted 24 points.
After two games, Doss is averaging 26.5 points and 10 rebounds per contest.
"Melody is doing an outstanding job for us on both ends of the court," NKU had coach
Dawn Plitzuweit said. "She had 29 points and was nearly perfect from the field, but she also rebounded and did a great job defensively against a very good team."
The Norse held Illinois State (0-1) without a field goal for more than 10 minutes late in the second half to fuel a game-ending 25-8 run. The Redbirds owned a 40-36 lead with 10:08 left after a basket by Brianna Puni, but Doss scored 12 of NKU's next 13 points and the Norse forged a 49-43 advantage with 4:27 left on the clock.
Illinois State would not convert another field goal until Katy Winge drained a 3-pointer with six seconds remaining.
"I really thought it was a great finish to the game," Plitzuweit said. "Our kids played great defensively. It was a tribute to our players' toughness, grittiness and finding ways to get some stops."
NKU shot 61.1 percent from the field in the second half, sparked by Doss and her 6-for-6 effort.
Christine Roush and
Kayla Thacker each added 10 points for the Norse, who forced 28 turnovers by the Redbirds.
Rianna Gayheart dished out four assists and had three steals for NKU.
Illinois State made 44 percent of its shots from the field in the first half and took a 24-22 lead into the locker room. Doss, however, netted 18 of her points in the second half to key the NKU comeback.
"I really felt like we had great shots in the first half; they just didn't fall," Plitzuweit said. "We were very conscientious about getting the ball into Mel Doss' hands in the second half, and that certainly helped us.
"We were able to turn them over, and they were able to get offensive rebounds on us, so it kind of offset that way. I thought what was interesting for our players and good to see was that during the course of the game they made some adjustments without us telling them to. If that continues and we continue to get better and limit opportunities, it is going to help us."
NKU now leads the all-time series with Illinois State, 3-2. The two teams had not met since Jan. 3, 1981, when the Redbirds posted a 91-61 win over the Norse in the Northern Kentucky Invitational Tournament in Regents Hall.
Illinois State shot 36 percent from the field and did not have a player score in double figures. Alexis Foley led the Redbirds with nine points.
"This group is very hungry, and they want to do well," Plitzuweit said. "Ultimately, I was very impressed with how they finished this game, and I was impressed with how they finished the last game. That is going to have to continue. Hopefully we can start games well and then finish them well and see where that's at."
NKU plays at North Carolina-Wilmington at 2 p.m. Saturday. The broadcast of the game can be heard live at www.nkunorse.com.
