Raiders down NKU 80-70 for second-straight win

Thursday, February 2

Dayton, OH

6 PM

Wright State University

4-19,3-10Horizon

Northern Kentucky

13-9,7-6Horizon

Northern Ky.

Wright St.

Photo by: Joseph Craven

2/2/2023 10:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

DAYTON — The Wright State women's basketball team took down Northern Kentucky 80-70 for its second-straight conference victory on Thursday night inside the Nutter Center.

Wright State (4-19, 3-10 HL) had three players score in double figures, led by Bryce Nixon with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Kacee Baumhower finished with 14 points and a team-best eight rebounds, while Emily Chapman added 12 points, seven rebounds, and four steals. Baumhower and Chapman both tied season-high marks in rebounds.

The Raiders led for most of the home matchup, shooting 53.8 percent (28-of-52) from the field and 40% (8-of-20) on 3-pointers. WSU tied a season-high in free throw makes with 16 on 20 attempts.

Wright State also held the edge down low, outscoring Northern Kentucky (13-9, 7-6 HL) 34-24 in points in the paint and evening the visitors with 36 rebounds apiece.

NKU shot just 33.9% (21-of-62) from the field, including a 29% (9-of-31) mark in the second half. However, the Norse stayed within reach by going 21-of-34 (61.8%) at the free throw line.

The opening quarter featured three ties but ended in a slight 18-15 advantage for the Raiders. WSU finished 7-of-12 (58.3%) shooting in the quarter, led by Isabelle Bolender, Baumhower, and Nixon with two makes apiece.

NKU claimed a pair of one-point leads in the second quarter, the last coming at the 4:53 minute mark to make the score 24-23 in favor of the Norse. Wright State took back the lead with an 8-2 run and entered halftime ahead 40-36. Chapman scored 10 of WSU's 22 points — all in the final three minutes in the second quarter — to pace the offense.

The Raiders outscored Northern Kentucky 19-12 in the third quarter to grow their lead to double digits, 59-48. WSU opened the quarter on a 7-0 run while holding the Norse to 2-of-15 shooting (13.3%) over the 10 minutes.

Wright State carried its momentum into the fourth quarter by increasing its scoring margin to a game-high 15 points, 65-50, following a jumper by Cara VanKempen with 7:36 remaining. NKU reduced its deficit to 69-61 at the 3:16 minute mark, but Bolender answered back with a 3-pointer in the ensuing possession to build WSU's lead back to double digits.

A Nixon layup and six free throws made by the Raiders over the closing three minutes of play prevented a late NKU rally.

WSU will look to win its third-straight game on Saturday against IUPUI at 1 p.m. inside the Nutter Center.