HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Breanne Beatty, Jalisha Terry and Kahlaijah Dean each scored 11 points as Oakland shot a season-high 8-for-16 (50%) from 3-point range. However, it was not enough to get over the hump as the Golden Grizzlies fell at Northern Kentucky, 69-60, on Thursday night at BB&T Arena. 

Beatty and Kayla Luchenbach each grabbed a team-high five rebounds while Dean dished out a team-best four assists. Beatty also connected on a career-high 2-for-3 from 3-point range.

Despite the hot shooting from behind the arc and posting 21 points off 17 NKU (10-9, 4-4 HL) turnovers, Oakland (8-11, 3-5 HL) couldn't close the gap in the fourth quarter as the Norse countered with hot shooting of their own connecting on a staggering 10-for-12 (83%) from the field to maintain the lead which proved to be the difference in the game.

After the Norse moved ahead by 10 points, 51-41, in the fourth, Terry hit a 3-pointer followed by a layup for Chloe Guingrich which pulled the Golden Grizzlies with in six points, 51-45. Once again, NKU responded by outscoring Oakland 9-5 to move ahead by 10 for the second time and never looked back. The Golden Grizzlies were able to outscore the Norse 15-9 to close out the game but never could get within striking distance. 

NKU opened the third quarter 5-0 run to move ahead by seven points at 34-27. Oakland clawed its way back over the next five minutes outscoring the Norse 8-4 to pull within three points, 38-35 at the 4:16 mark. However, NKU closed out the frame on 9-3 run to take a 47-38 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The first half was evenly matched as neither team could pull away with NKU holding a 29-27 lead heading into the locker room. 

Oakland concludes their two-game road swing at defending Horizon League Champion Wright State on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.



###