HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball program overcomes a valiant first half battle down by as much as 22 against Northern Kentucky, falling to the Norse late in the game by a score of 79-69 inside Truist Arena in the I-75 Challenge.
 
With the loss, EKU moves to 4-5 (.444) on the season and prepares to head Northeast with games against Boston College and Army West Point next week.
 
Marissa Mackins totaled 19 points in her Eastern Kentucky debut on 5-of-11 (.454) and 4-of-8 (.500) from beyond the arch. Thursday's game was her first appearance since March 12, 2021 for North Florida where she dropped 12 points against Liberty in the ASUN semifinals.
 
Danielle Rainey recorded her first career double-double scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the loss. With 11 boards, Rainey ties her career-high value not reached since January 27, 2019 against Arkansas in Southeastern Conference play for Florida.
 
Ariel Kirkwood etched her name in the EKU record book against with two blocks against the Norse, joining the top-10 in program history in career rejected shots at 55.
 
NKU dominated the first quarter, outscoring EKU 21-8, shooting 50 percent from the floor, and picking five turnovers in the first five minutes.
 
Rainey led the Colonels out of the first quarter, scoring seven points on three possessions to bring EKU down 12 heading into the media timeout. NKU would proceed to go on a nine-point swing and stretch its lead to as much as 22 heading into the halftime break.
 
The third quarter told a different tale, as the Colonels jumped out the gate to a 16-6 run, Mackins scored nine points in this frame to reach double-figure scoring and bring EKU within 13. EKU closed the third quarter on a 10-8 run to a result of 62-47, NKU.
 
Mackins three pointers on back-to-back possessions to open the fourth quarter brought the Colonels down 10 points. A Rainey layup with 5:40 remaining on the clock equaled EKU smallest deficit of seven on the night, the Norse kept the visiting team at a 10-point length in the final five minutes to end the contest at 79-69.
 
EKU returns home and prepares to hit the road for its fifth straight road game with games against Boston College (Dec. 13) and Army (Dec. 18). Next Tuesday's game against the Eagles will be aired on ACC Network+ beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET.
 
Follow Us
Keep up with everything EKU women's basketball on Instagram (@ekuwbb) and Twitter (@EKUWBB).