Brittany Winner

RENSSELAER, Ind. - For the first time in nearly 12 years, Saint Joseph’s walked off the court Thursday night owning a victory against Northern Kentucky University in women’s basketball.

The Pumas ended a 23-game losing streak against NKU with a 50-47 win over the Norse at the Scharf Alumni Fieldhouse. It was Saint Joseph’s first victory against NKU since Feb. 19, 1994, when the Pumas posted a 72-67 win.

“At critical times, we did not execute our half-court offense,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “Over the years, we’ve prided ourselves on being disciplined and patient, while being aggressive on offense. I thought Saint Joseph’s did a very good job of doing things we have done in the past.

“When you play teams that make you defend, and guard you hard, you have to be mentally tough and be disciplined. We need to find some answers.”

Michelle Bova scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Saint Joseph’s, which improved to 5-3 overall, 1-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Patience Meyer added 10 points, five rebounds and three blocked shots for the Pumas, who built a nine-point lead in the second half and held off a late NKU rally.

After Allison Hughes made a pair of free throws with 3:07 remaining to give Saint Joseph’s a 46-37 lead, Katie Butler drained a 3-pointer to bring NKU within 46-40 with 2:52 left in the game. Brittany Winner converted two free throws with 47 seconds left to cut the lead to 46-42, and Bova missed the front end of the bonus.

Karyn Creager then made a layup to pull the Norse within 46-44 with 16 seconds remaining, and Saint Joseph’s would have to earn the win by making free throws.

Ashley Hughes was fouled with 12 seconds showing on the clock, and she hit two free throws to extend the Puma advantage to 48-44. Creager, however, was fouled while attempting a 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left, and she made all three free throws to cut the Saint Joseph’s lead to 48-47.

Allison Hughes hit two free throws with 2.7 seconds left in the game to give the Pumas a 50-47 lead, and Karmen Graham’s desperation 3-pointer was off target at the buzzer. Saint Joseph’s won despite shooting just 31.3 percent from the field in the second half and 40 percent for the game.

Winner led NKU (4-2, 1-2 GLVC) with 12 points and three steals, but the Norse shot just 21.7 percent (5-for-23) from the field in the second half. Creager added nine points for NKU, which will play at Indianapolis at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Graham and Butler each scored seven points, while Angela Healy finished with six points and two steals.

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