JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Northern Kentucky women's basketball team faced a 15-point deficit in the third quarter, but used a huge surge to overtake ETSU by 12 points, 57-45. The Norse close out the nonconference portion of their schedule at 2-9, while the Bucs fall to 6-8.
STAT LEADERS
- Samari Mowbray tied her career high of 19 points, sinking three 3-pointers in a game for the first time as a Norse. She also added five rebounds, two assists and a block.
- Molly Glick added 11 points and tied her career best of eight rebounds, all of which came on the defensive end, along with a pair of steals.
- Jazmyne Geist hit double digits for the first time in her career, going 8-for-10 from the free throw line for the bulk of her 10 points.
- Kailey Coffey led the Norse in rebounding with 10 for the second double-digit rebounding game of her career.
- Mikayla Terry played all 40 minutes and dished out six assists while nabbing three steals. Her rounded performance also included six points and five rebounds.
FIRST HALF SUMMARY
- NKU held tight with ETSU in the first quarter, 11-8, and briefly took a 12-11 lead in the second, but the Bucs used a 16-5 run to take a 28-17 advantage going into the half.
- The run was not a spectacular offensive showcase as ETSU shot just 26.7 percent in the frame, but rather it was fueled by a 6-of-8 effort from the free throw line and capped off by two key 3-pointers.
SECOND HALF SUMMARY
- ETSU extended out to a 15-point lead with the first two buckets of the second half, but NKU bore down and went on a 21-9 run. Mowbray scored eight of her points, including two of her 3-pointers, to help the Norse get within three, 41-38.
- NKU held the Bucs to just four points in the final frame while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 75.0 percent from long range in a 19-point burst.
- NKU took the lead for good when Terry drew her defenders in transition and passed off to Coffey in the low post for a 42-41 edge.
- The Norse iced ETSU with three-straight triples from Mowbray, Taryn Taugher and Molly Glick for a sizable 53-41 lead.
- ETSU attempted to extend the clock by fouling, but strong free throw shooting by Terry and Mowbray put the contest too far out of reach.
NORSE NOTES
- NKU remains unblemished in the all-time series against ETSU, 6-0.
- Coming into the contest, ETSU ranked 11th nationally with 12.8 steals per game. The Bucs registered just six swipes in the game, while NKU had nine steals.
- ETSU was also held considerably under its scoring and rebounding averages. The Bucs averaged 71.8 points per game and 40.5 rebounds per game, but were out-rebounded 43-30.
- NKU shot 36.2 percent from the field and held ETSU to 26.4 percent shooting. The Norse had a strong effort at the free throw line, sinking 18-of-22.
UP NEXT
NKU kicks off Horizon League action at home following the holiday break. The Norse host Milwaukee at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 28, before welcoming No. 21/23 Green Bay to BB&T Arena at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30.
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