The Northern Kentucky women’s basketball was outscored 28-16 in the fourth quarter of a 89-79 loss to Oakland on Friday night.
The Norse shot 54% from the field in the road Horizon League tilt, but could not overcome another rough rebounding performance in an 89-79 loss, falling to 0-2 in league play.
Oakland outrebounded Northern Kentucky, 38-29 including 15-6 on the offensive glass. Miriam Ibezim led the Grizzlies with 13 rebounds to go with nine points.
Northern Kentucky also turned the ball over 21 times while Oakland gave it away 15 times. The Grizzlies outscored the Norse, 25-17 in points off turnovers.
After falling down 41-31 at the break, NKU blitzed the Golden Grizzlies for 32 points in the third quarter to take a 63-61 lead into the fourth.
Freshman Carter McCray continued to be a bright spot helping the Norse outscore the Grizzlies, 46-36 in the paint. The freshman center scored 12 points to go with eight rebounds and four assists.
The Norse (2-9) had six players score eight or more points. Kailee Davis led the way with 17 with Kennedy Igo adding 12. Khamari Mitchell-Steen scored nine to go with five assists with Gabby Razzano and Noelle Hubert scoring eight each.
Oakland (5-6) put three players in double figures outshooting Northern Kentucky. Alexis Johnson led the way scoring 21 points with Markyia McCormick and Brooke Quarles-Daniels scoring 20 and 18, respectively. The two other starters in Miriam Ibezim and Linda Van Schaik scored nine each.
Northern Kentucky finishes the Michigan tour of the Horizon League schedule at Detroit on Monday at 1 p.m.