The Norse won their Great Lakes Valley Conference opener 71-64 at home Saturday against the Riverwomen of Missouri-St. Louis

NKU started off with a 10-point lead at the 14:55 mark in the first half. That lead didn’t last long because of the scoring of Missouri-St. Louis’s Kalie Birkey and Crystal Lambert. Near the end of the first half, the Norse led by only two points, making the score 36-34 NKU.

In the second half, NKU and UMSL went back and forth, with eight different lead changes. Sophomore Sharell Snardon led the Norse with a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Karyn Creager scored 11 of her career high 16 points in the second half, helping NKU to the victory.

In the last minute of the game Creager blocked a three-pointer and Connie Myers grabbed the rebound ending the Riverwomen’s comeback attempt. NKU was able to secure the victory by making four free throws in the final seconds of regulation.

Myers contributed to the victory, scoring 14 points and dishing out six assists.

Although the Norse came away with the victory, Myers believes they didn’t play up to their potential.

“I know we can play better as a team,” Myers said. “We won the game, but it wasn’t the best performance.”

Junior Nikki Perkins pitched in, scoring 10 points with six assists in what Snardon described as an “ugly win.”

The win pushed NKU’s record to 3-1 on the season and should hold them steady at their No. 10 ranking in the NCAA Division II national poll.

Both teams finished the night shooting 44 percent from the field. The Norse forced 17 UMSL turnovers, while they committed just eight of their own.

After meeting up with No. 8-ranked Quincy on Monday night, the Norse will travel to Lewis and Wisconsin-Parkside before hosting the Community Recorder Classic, at Regents Hall Dec. 12-13.

The tournament will include University of Missouri at Rolla, Fayetteville State University and Kendall University.