The Northern Kentucky Norse are still without a win in Atlantic Sun play after a 59-54 loss at North Florida on Wednesday.
The Norse (3-8, 0-2 A-Sun) still have not won when trailing at halftime going in 0-8 in those contests. Ellen Holton led the way for NKU as she scored 13 and grabbed seven rebounds. Christine Roush and Tiara Hopper also added 11 points and Kayla Thacker missed a double-double with nine points and seven rebounds.
The Ospreys (6-7, 2-0) were led by Ki Conner off the bench as she scored 17. Destinee Smith also added 15 points while Fabiola Josil finished with eight points, five steals and four assists.
The two teams opened the half going back and forth, but the Norse kept the advantage 11-10. Six straight points would give NKU its biggest lead of the day at seven, but the Ospreys rallied to tie the game and eventually take a 26-22 lead into the half.
The two teams continued to play a close contest, but the Norse would take a four point lead as far as the 7:33 mark when Rianna Gayheart knocked down a 3-pointer to make it 47-43. Back to back baskets by North Florida tied the game at 47, but Holton retook the lead with a layup at the 5:54 mark.
Chandler Merkerson and Roush traded baskets, but a 3-pointer by Conner gave the Ospreys a 52-51 lead with 3:21 left to play. Holton responded with a jumper to take back the lead, but it was short lived as Conner answered with a jumper of her own.
Thacker gave the Norse a one-point lead with 42 seconds to play after a pair of free throws. Conner took over from there as she knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Ospreys the lead with 25 seconds. Roush turned the ball over to Josil on the Norse's next possession and Conner hit a pair of free throws to the game out of reach with four seconds left.
The Norse return home on Saturday for a showdown with USC Upstate (5-7, 1-0). Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.
A full box score can be seen here.
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