CLEVELAND – Northern Kentucky women's basketball fell to Cleveland State on Thursday night, 66-62. The Norse drop to 13-10 overall and 7-5 in Horizon League play while the Vikings advance to 17-6 (7-5 Horizon).
STATS LEADERS
- Molly Glick recorded her first career double-double, leading the Norse with 18 points and 10 rebounds. She also added a career-high-tying six assists.
- Emmy Souder also reached double figures with 14 points in addition to pulling down eight rebounds.
- Kailey Coffey recorded double-digit rebounds with 11 caroms.
FIRST HALF SUMMARY
- After a slow start on both sides, Glick got the Norse going after making back-to-back-to-back threes to put NKU ahead, 13-7. Ally Niece added a jumper to bring NKU's count to 15 points at the close of 10 minutes as the Norse held a slim 15-12 lead.
- Cleveland State knotted the score at 15 apiece, and later tied the contest at 17-17 at the 6:51 mark in the second quarter, but that would be the last field goal of the half for the Vikings.
- NKU closed the half out on a 15-0 run, highlighted by a pair of 3-pointers from Souder.
- The Vikings were held to 14.3 percent from the floor in the second quarter while the Norse shot 46.7 percent in the period.
SECOND HALF SUMMARY
- Cleveland State nearly erased the deficit within three minutes, starting the third quarter on a 13-0 run. The Norse were able to pull back ahead, 39-32, following a three from Ivy Turner, but the Vikings responded with another 13-point run for a 45-39 advantage.
- The Vikings outscored the Norse 30-9 in the third quarter, shooting over 60.0 percent from the field while the Norse struggled to convert at 30.0 percent.
- The Norse regrouped for the fourth quarter and outscored the Vikings by two points, but the third-quarter surge by Cleveland State prevented NKU from getting within four points of the Vikings.
GAME NOTES
- Northern Kentucky shot 39.7 percent from the field while Cleveland State connected at 41.5 percent.
- The Norse posted a 45-35 advantage on the boards. However, the Vikings had the edge down low, outscoring NKU 32-18 in the paint.
- NKU committed 20 turnovers, which were converted into 17 points for the Vikings.
UP NEXT
The Norse remain on the road at Youngstown State on Saturday, Feb. 8. Tip-off against the Penguins is set for 2 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
#NorseUp
