NKU women pull out 64-60 win over Detroit Mercy; Thomas More women clinch share of PAC title

NKyTribune staff

Kailey Coffey’s layup with 12.9 seconds remaining snapped a 60-all tie, and Northern Kentucky University survived a last-second shot by Detroit Mercy to pull out a 64-60 win on Saturday at BB&T Arena.

NKU’s Taryn Taugher scored 12 points and hit two game-clinching free throws Saturday against Detroit Mercy. (Photo by Jeff McCurry)

After Coffey’s bucket gave NKU a 62-60 lead, Detroit Mercy went for the win as Lexey Tobel attempted a 3-pointer that was off the mark. Coffey rebounded the miss, and Detroit Mercy fouled Taryn Taugher with two seconds left on the clock.

Taugher converted both free throws to seal NKU’s third consecutive victory. The Norse improved to 8-17 overall, 6-8 in the Horizon League.

Detroit Mercy dropped to 1-23 overall, 1-12 in the Horizon League.

Jazmyne Geist led NKU with 14 points, while Taugher and Mikayla Terry each added 12 points. Geist and Coffey each grabbed seven rebounds as NKU finished with a 41-33 edge on the boards.

The Norse won despite shooting just 13-for-26 from the free-throw line and 3-for-17 from 3-point range.

NKU plays at Wright State next Saturday at 2 p.m.

TMC WOMEN CLINCH SHARE OF PAC TITLE: Abby Owings scored 20 points and collected seven steals Saturday afternoon as the Thomas More College women coasted to a 107-62 win over Waynesburg (Pa.) at the Connor Convocation Center.

The Saints (22-1 overall, 16-0 in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference) shot 62 percent from the field and extended their winning streak to 21 games. Madison Temple added 16 points for Thomas More, which clinched a share of the PAC regular-season title with the win.

Thomas More built a 46-27 halftime lead and used a 33-12 spurt in the third quarter to take a 79-39 cushion into the final frame. The Saints, ranked No. 4 nationally in the NCAA Division III poll, finished with a 52-20 advantage in points in the paint.

Waynesburg dropped to 13-10 overall, 9-7 in the PAC.

Nikki Kiernan chipped in 15 points for the Saints, who have not lost to a PAC opponent since Jan. 14, 2012, when Saint Vincent (Pa.) pulled out a 68-65 victory in Latrobe, Pa.

The Saints have defeated conference foes in 131 consecutive games since that loss in 2012, but the NCAA forced Thomas More to vacate every win during the 2014-15 season due to an eligibility issue, wiping out 20 victories against PAC schools.

Thomas More plays at Saint Vincent (Pa.) at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.