The Northern Kentucky women’s basketball team hoped to earn its first win over a Mid-American Conference opponent Monday at Truist Arena but the Akron Zips escaped with a 70-69 victory over the Norse in a game that saw 16 lead changes and 14 ties.
The Norse are 2-1 on their home floor this season and 3-3 overall.
“I’m really disappointed in this loss. I realize we didn’t have two starters (junior guard/wing Ellie Taylor and sophomore guard Kailee Davis) and we’ve been a little bit hit with the injury bug – coaches and players,” said Camryn Whitaker, NKU head coach. “I think we were sharing the ball. We shot the ball better from the three. But it just wasn’t enough. Defensively down the stretch, we had some lapses. To me, that comes down to mental toughness just being able to finish plays, finish quarters and finish games. We have to find a way to not get down early.”
The Norse saw four players score in double digits. Graduate guard Lindsey Duvall led with 23 points, five rebounds and five assists to up her total to 932 career points. Graduate student forward/center Emmy Souder put up a career high 13 points to go with eight rebounds making 6 of 8 shots. Junior guard Kennedy Igo scored 13 points, three assists and one steal, and senior guard Ivy Turner scored 12 points, four assists and two steals.
The Norse made 28 of 65 shots for 43 percent including 9 of 23 from three-point range for 39 percent and 4 of 8 free throws for 50 percent. But NKU once again struggled with 16 turnovers compared to nine for Akron (4-1).
The Zips made 26 of 67 shots for 39 percent including 9 of 25 from three-point range for 36 percent and 9 of 12 free throws for 75 percent putting a season-high four players in double figures. Junior guard Layne Ferrell had 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots and sophomore forward Reagan Bass had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Dominique Camp and senior forward Molly Neitzel scored 12 and 11 respectively.
Northern Kentucky opens Horizon League play Friday against Youngstown State (2-3) at Truist Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.