ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Northern Kentucky women's basketball program posted a valiant comeback attempt, which included a 32-point third quarter, but in the end the effort fell just short as the Norse dropped a Horizon League contest to host Oakland, 89-79 inside the Athletics Center O'Rena on Friday night.
 
THE FACTS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 79, Oakland – 89
LOCATION: Athletics Center O'Rena – Rochester, Michigan
RECORDS: NKU: 2-9 (0-2 HL) – OAK: 5-6 (1-2 HL)
 
BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN
- Kailee Davis: 17 points, four rebounds, four steals, one assist
- Kennedy Igo: 16 points, four boards, one swipe
- Carter McCray: 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one block
- Khamari Mitchell-Steen: 9 points, five helpers, two steals
- Gabby Razzano: 8 points, four boards
- Noelle Hubert: 8 points, two rebounds, one swipe
 
NORSE NOTES
- Davis broke out in a big way as she continues to round back into form from an early season injury. She set a season best in points, minutes (32), field goals made (seven), three-pointers made (three), rebounds and steals.
- Igo posted another big stat line for the Norse, as she too set a season-best in minutes played (37), made free throws (second), and boards.
- McCray continued to be a force in the paint with 12 points and eight rebounds. Her four assists were also a season high.
- Razzano went off for eight points, another season-best.
- Eight student-athletes scored for the Norse in total in the contest.
- Oakland took a 22-13 lead after 10 minutes of play and a 41-31 edge into the half.
- That is when the Norse made their move as they opened the period by scoring seven of the first 10 points to make it a 44-38 game with 8:37 to play in the third.
- After Oakland tried to pull away again, the Norse punched right back as NKU tied the game at 57-57 with 2:06 left in the quarter. NKU took its first lead of the game at 61-59 with 1:09 left in the period. The Norse trailed by as much as 15 in the conference clash.
- After scoring 31 points in the first half, NKU posted 32 in the third as they went into the fourth with a slight 63-61 advantage. It was the most points scored by the squad in a single quarter since February 24 of last season (also against Oakland).
- The Norse ran out of steam in the fourth as the Golden Grizzlies ended the final 10 minutes on a 28-16 run to close out the 89-79 victory.
 
NEXT UP
Northern Kentucky with ring in 2024 with a New Year's Day game against Detroit Mercy on Monday, January 1. Tip is set for 1 PM ET inside Calihan Hall. Fans can catch the action anywhere in the nation on ESPN+.
 
 
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