The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team (3-4, 0-1) had its chances in the Horizon League opener at Truist Arena on Friday.
But the league favorite Youngstown State Penguins (3-3, 1-0) made the plays down the stretch to escape with a 59-55 victory. Northern Kentucky dropped its third straight game in the process.
“I think the thing that stands out to me the most is our offense in the fourth quarter,” said Camryn Whitaker, NKU head coach. “We only got up eight shots and that’s not how we play. We’ve got to play faster. We’ve got to get more shots up. Now credit Youngstown. They made some defensive adjustments and they outplayed us in the second half. We led for 30 minutes. It just wasn’t good enough.”
Northern Kentucky’s cold shooting night consisted of just 33 percent from the field and 13 percent from the 3-point line. They did make the Penguins pay at the line, knocking down 15-of-19 attempts. Youngstown State hit 45 percent from the field and 27 percent from the 3-point line, hitting 60 percent of their free throw attempts in the win. Northern Kentucky also had 37 rebounds and 14 assists to 36 rebounds and 10 assists for the Penguins.
Lindsey Duvall again led the Norse with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Kailee Davis had 12 points, seven assists and two blocks with Emmy Souder tallying seven points, 10 rebounds and two steals.
Northern Kentucky held Youngstown State’s Horizon League Preseason First Team selection fifth-year forward Lilly Ritz to just 12 points, but junior guard Malia Magestro picked up the slack, scoring 21 points.
The Norse return to action Sunday at 2 p.m. against Robert Morris.
