DETROIT - Karmen Graham scored a career-high 28 points and made four free throws in the final minute Monday night as the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team defeated Wayne (Mich.) State University, 69-62, at the Matthaei Complex.
Graham, a freshman center/forward, also grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds as NKU held off Wayne State and improved to 7-3. Wayne State (3-7) twice cut NKU’s lead to three points in the final minute, but Graham responded both times by converting two free throws and extending the Norse advantage to five.
Her last two free throws gave NKU a 65-60 lead with 22 seconds remaining, and the Norse added four more charity tosses in the closing seconds to seal the road victory. It was the first double-double of Graham’s career.
“I told Karmen during practice she needs to step up and take more shots, and she had an outstanding game,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “We watched Karmen in high school and know the type of skill she has offensively, and we saw how talented she is in this game.”
Graham’s three-point shot from the top of the key with 2:12 remaining snapped a 55-55 tie and gave NKU a 58-55 lead. It also keyed a game-ending 16-7 run for the Norse.
Connie Myers finished with 17 points and a career-high 18 rebounds for NKU, which won the battle of the boards by a 55-25 margin. Elizabeth Burrows added 10 points and five rebounds.
“Late in the game, we did a good job of executing our offense and made all the big plays,” Winstel said. “I thought we played very hard the entire game, and it’s a big win because it’s against a team in our region.”
Jodi Young scored 25 points to lead Wayne State, which is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. NKU held Wayne State to just 37.5 percent shooting from the field, including 5-for-22 from three-point range.
NKU is now 5-0 all-time against Wayne State.
The Norse will play host to defending Great Lakes Valley Conference champion University of Indianapolis at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Regents Hall.
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Karmen Graham |