ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies hosted the 10-3 Northern Kentucky Norse, losing 79-67 after NKU's big second and fourth quarters gave the Norse their 11th win on the season.
Kayla Luchenbach tied a career high with 18 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds.
Breanne Beatty set another career high with 17 points, topping her 16-point career high set two days earlier. Sophomore
Aaliyah McQueen set a new career high as well, scoring 13 points in 23 minutes. Graduate student
C'Erra Maholmes (12) set a career high as well, topping the one she set two weeks before at Milwaukee of 10.
Oakland was outrebounded 32-27, outscored 50-40 in the paint and outscored on the fast break 14-2.
The first quarter got off to a quick start for both squads, with Oakland taking an early 16-10 lead midway through the quarter. McQueen (five) and Luchenbach (four) carried most of the offensive load early. The Norse evened the score at 20 before the quarter ended, knotting the score entering the second.
NKU gained a significant advantage in the second quarter, outscoring Oakland 20-8. The Norse carried a 12-point lead into the half, led by Ivy Turner's eight points and Grayson Rose's 10 rebounds.
The third quarter was where the Golden Grizzlies swung the momentum back.
C'Erra Maholmes opened the quarter with four points, and the Golden Grizzlies came out of the half swinging. At one point, the game was tied after a McQueen jumper, but the Norse recovered and reclaimed a six-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Oakland outscored Northern Kentucky 23-17 in the third to bring the game to 57-51.
Turner and Lindsay Duvall were the difference for NKU in the fourth, starting off the quarter with a three from Turner, then a layup from Duvall, which was assisted by Turner. Duvall hit a free throw and another layup, stretching the Norse lead to 10. Turner racked up another assist, hit two free throws, then another layup to continue her fourth quarter momentum.
Oakland kept responding with buckets of their own, but the Norse kept them at bay, shooting 7-12 from the field and 6-8 from the line in the fourth. The Norse defense held tall, holding Oakland to 5-13 FG and 1-5 3-pointers in the fourth, despite the efforts of Beatty and Luchenbach, who scored five and seven points in the fourth, respectively.
The Golden Grizzlies have two games against Detroit Mercy next week, starting with a home game Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. Two days later the cross-town rivals complete the Metro Series at Calihan Hall, Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m.
