Despite a third-quarter comeback, the Norse fell short as Cleveland State’s impressive two-point shooting and NKU’s lack of offensive production proved to be too much to overcome.

The game opened up as a back-and-forth battle until the second quarter proved to be a challenge on both sides of the floor for NKU. The Norse shot just 3-16 (18.75%) from the floor, while allowing Cleveland State to shoot an impressive 63.64%, sending the Norse into the locker room down 40-25 at the half.  

Momentum changed when NKU came out for the second half. The Norse embarked on a 16-0 run sparked by Abby Wolterman to take the 48-45 lead over the Vikings, while holding Cleveland State to 23% shooting from the field in the third quarter. 

Offensive struggles resurfaced in the fourth quarter for the Norse as they shot just 5-17 from the floor and 0-8 from three, allowing the Vikings to finish and close out the game. 

Three Norse players finished in double figures, led by Mya Meredith with 17 points on 7-11 shooting, adding three rebounds, two assists and two steals. Taysha Rushton finished with 16 points and three rebounds, and Karina Bystrey posted 15 points, five rebounds and led the Norse in steals with four. 

Lack of depth was an issue for NKU; the Norse got zero points off the bench, going a combined 0-9 from the floor. 

Wolterman led NKU with eight rebounds, despite the Norse losing the rebound battle 43-33.

Head Coach Jeff Hans credited the team’s defensive performance in the second half while noting the adjustment should have been made earlier.

“We were forcing them to do some things that they weren’t comfortable doing because we adjusted how we were guarding inside, but they just kept making plays in the fourth quarter. The good side of it was defensively, we did what we needed to in the second half, but I should have made that adjustment earlier. I guess that’s my fault for putting us in that spot,” Hans said.