YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Interstat) — The Northern Kentucky women’s basketball team secured a 61-49 road victory over Youngstown State on Thursday night at Beeghly Center, overcoming a slow start with a strong defensive performance. The Norse, who trailed 7-6 after a low-scoring first quarter, took control by outscoring the Penguins 19-18 in the second for a 25-25 halftime tie. Northern Kentucky then held Youngstown State to just seven points in the fourth quarter to pull away. Maddie Moody led Northern Kentucky with 17 points. Abby Wolterman added 10 points. Sarah Baker scored 12 points for Youngstown State. Northern Kentucky improved to 7-11 overall. Youngstown State fell to 11-5.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Interstat) — In a Horizon League clash defined by defensive grit and offensive struggle, the Northern Kentucky women’s basketball team delivered a decisive road victory, upending Youngstown State 61-49 on Thursday night at Beeghly Center. The Norse, improving to 7-11 overall, used a dominant second quarter to seize control and never relinquished it, handing the Penguins just their fifth loss of the season against 11 wins. The result defied statistical projections that heavily favored the home team. The game’s pivotal stretch arrived in the second period. After a sluggish first quarter that ended with Youngstown State holding a narrow 7-6 lead, Northern Kentucky’s offense found a rhythm while its defense clamped down. The Norse erupted for 19 points in the frame, spearheaded by interior scoring from Abby Wolterman and timely baskets from Karina Bystry and Taysha Rushton. Conversely, the Penguins’ shooting woes, a theme all evening, continued unabated. Youngstown State managed just seven points in the fourth quarter, mirroring its first-quarter output, as the Norse consistently answered every attempt at a rally. Northern Kentucky’s victory was built on a foundation of interior dominance and forcing Youngstown State into inefficient offense. The Norse outscored the Penguins 38-18 in the paint and won the rebounding battle. Defensively, they harassed Youngstown State into a frigid 16-of-59 shooting performance from the floor, including a dismal 3-of-28 from beyond the three-point arc. The Penguins’ offensive rating of 74.2 points per 100 possessions underscored a night of frustration. Maddie Moody led all scorers for Northern Kentucky, contributing 17 points on efficient interior shooting, adding a block and several key rebounds in 24 minutes of action. Abby Wolterman provided a crucial double-double with 10 points and a game-high rebounding effort, while also recording a block. Mya Meredith directed the offense with a game-high five assists. Youngstown State was led by Sarah Baker’s 12 points and Erica King’s 11 points. King added two blocks in a full 40-minute performance, and Danielle Cameron also finished with 11 points. However, the Penguins’ backcourt combination of Cameron and Casey Santoro combined to shoot 3-of-15 from three-point range, emblematic of the team’s struggles. The Norse set the tone early with physical defense, and despite their own early shooting troubles, they trailed by only a point after one quarter. The second-quarter surge gave them a 25-18 halftime lead. Youngstown State made pushes in the third quarter, closing the gap to within a single possession at times, but Northern Kentucky always had a response, often through Moody in the post or a critical basket from Bystry or Kamora Morgan. Every time the Penguins threatened, a defensive stop or a tough Norse bucket stemmed the tide. Northern Kentucky’s ability to control the glass, particularly with 12 offensive rebounds leading to second-chance opportunities, proved to be a significant difference-maker in a low-possession game. The win marks a significant conference road result for Northern Kentucky, which has now won three of its last four games. The Norse look to continue their momentum on Saturday at Robert Morris. Youngstown State, which saw a three-game winning streak snapped, will aim to regroup at home against Fort Wayne, also on Saturday. An announced crowd of 1,400 at Beeghly Center watched as the Norse executed a game plan focused on defensive pressure and paint presence to secure a victory that recalibrates the early Horizon League standings.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Interstat) — A surging Youngstown State women’s basketball team will look to continue its strong Horizon League start when it hosts a Northern Kentucky squad riding a rare winning streak on Thursday night at Beeghly Center. The Penguins (11-4) have won three straight and nine of their last 10, including a dominant 81-58 victory over Oakland on Monday. They are led by guard Erica King, who is coming off a 23-point, 5-assist performance. King has been a consistent catalyst, averaging 13.1 points and 3.9 assists per game during the team’s recent hot stretch. Youngstown State’s defense has been a cornerstone, holding opponents to an average of 55.2 points during its current three-game win streak. The Penguins also boast depth, with Sophia Gregory (15 points) and Paulina Hernandez (16 points) providing significant scoring support in the win over Oakland. Northern Kentucky (6-11) has found momentum after a difficult start, winning its last two contests. The Norse defeated IU Indy 63-44 on Jan. 2 before a 75-57 home win over Detroit on Sunday. Forward Maddie Moody has been pivotal, averaging 17.0 points and 5.5 rebounds over the two victories, including a 19-point, 7-rebound effort against Detroit. Despite the recent success, the Norse face a steep challenge. Their season has been marked by inconsistency, particularly on the road where they are 1-6. Defense will be key; they allow 70.2 points per game, a figure that contrasts sharply with Youngstown State’s stifling recent form. The matchup is the first of two regular-season meetings between the Horizon League foes. They will meet again in Highland Heights, Kentucky, on Feb. 19. Thursday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. EST. Youngstown State will host Fort Wayne on Saturday, while Northern Kentucky travels to face Robert Morris.