Box score
MACON, Ga. –
Tiara Hopper scored 11 points during a game-changing 13-4 run in the second half that propelled Northern Kentucky to a 69-60 victory over Mercer on Saturday in Hawkins Arena.
Hopper, a senior forward who finished with 22 points to equal her career high, ignited the run with Mercer holding a 32-29 lead early in the second half. She netted four inside baskets and added three free throws as the Norse took a 42-36 advantage with 12:02 remaining in the game.
The Norse extended that lead to 53-43 with less than six minutes left when
Jaimie Hamlet converted a free throw, eventually built the bulge to 12 points (61-49) and held off a late rally by the Bears. Northern Kentucky improved to 12-12 overall, 9-6 in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and snapped Mercer's 12-game winning streak.
The Bears had not lost since a 70-41 setback to Florida Gulf Coast on Jan. 2.
"Tiara played extremely well for us on both ends of the court. She did a great job attacking the rim on offense and was very solid on her defensive assignments," NKU head coach
Dawn Plitzuweit said. "She started off slowly, so to see her turn it up in the second half was a great tribute to how tough she is."
Mercer dropped to 18-8 overall, 12-3 in the A-Sun. It marked the second time in a week Northern Kentucky knocked off an A-Sun contender with 18 wins, as the Norse defeated Stetson last Saturday in Highland Heights, Ky.
Mercer shot just 38.7 percent from the field in the first half, but the Bears dominated the rebounding (22-11 advantage, including eight offensive rebounds) and took a 28-25 lead into the locker room. Sharmesia Smith scored eight points in the first half for Mercer, while Kendra Grant added seven points and five rebounds.
Northern Kentucky shut down Mercer guard Precious Bridges in the first half, holding her scoreless on 0-for-6 shooting from the field. Bridges entered Saturday averaging a team-leading 17.6 points per game, but she did not score until early in the second half and finished with 15.
Hopper netted seven points in the first half to pace the Norse, who shot 41.7 percent from the field during the opening 20 minutes of play. Northern Kentucky sizzled from the field in the second half, connecting on 50 percent of its shots and converting 24-for-30 free throws.
The Norse finished 27-for-36 from the line, with
Kayla Thacker making all nine of her attempts and Hopper going 8-for-9 from the charity stripe.
Thacker added 14 points and five rebounds for the Norse, who committed just eight turnovers and held Mercer to 2-for-14 shooting from 3-point range.
Ellen Holton scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds, while Hamlet netted seven points – all in the second half - and also blocked two shots.
Mercer finished the game at 36.6 percent shooting from the field and won the rebounding battle by a 42-29 count. The Norse, however, avenged a 77-67 loss to the Bears last month and evened the all-time series at 1-all.
"The last time we played Mercer, I thought we did a decent job defensively, and yet Mercer hit quite a few 12-15 foot shots on us," Plitzuweit said. "This time we attempted to challenge those shots quicker and more aggressively. Things seemed to go our way because Mercer didn't make as many mid-range shots against us. Mercer is a very good team, and we feel very fortunate to have beaten them tonight, especially on their home court."
Northern Kentucky plays its final road game of the season Monday night at Kennesaw State. The tip for that contest is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Norse return home next week to entertain North Florida (Thursday at 5 p.m.) and Jacksonville (Saturday at 5:30 p.m.) in The Bank of Kentucky Center.
NORSE NOTES: Hopper has scored in double figures the past five games and has made 25 free throws in 34 attempts during that stretch. She also scored 22 points against Loyola (Ill.) and Mercer earlier this season. The senior forward has scored in double figures 14 times this season, with four games of at least 20 points.
