The 11th-ranked University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team lost to third-ranked Northern Kentucky University, 81-71, this evening at Regents Hall in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The loss drops the Screaming Eagles to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference while the Norse raise their record to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the GLVC.

USI led for much of the first half, but a 25-16 edge on the boards, for the Norse, put the Eagles in a 38-37 halftime deficit as they went into the locker rooms.

Sophomore forward Jessica Stuckman (Quincy, Illinois) and senior guard Jasmine Moore (Chicago, Illinois) started the second half with a pair of buckets to give the Eagles a 41-38 lead. However, NKU answered as it used a 7-0 run to take a 45-41 lead and control of the game.

Trailing 61-53 with 8:34 to go in the game, the Eagles used a 9-0 run in less than a two-minute span, as they took a 64-63 lead.

However, that would be the last time USI would have the lead as NKU closed the game on a 17-8 run.

Stuckman, who posted her third double double of the season and sixth in her career, led the Eagles with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Moore followed Stuckman with 17 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high six steals.

Junior center Africa Sherrod (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida) came off the bench to score 12 points and pick up six rebounds while sophomore guard Erin Wall (New Albany, Indiana) added 11 points in the loosing effort.

NKU's Bridget Flanagan led all scorers with 25 points while Michelle Cottrell tapped in with 18 points and a game-high 18 points.

The Eagles will try to rebound as they host Grace College Saturday, December 15. Tip off is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. at the Physical Activities Center.