Northern Kentucky women’s basketball headed to Cleveland to take on Cleveland State in the Horizon League opener on Wednesday. 

The Vikings got into their offensive rhythm early. Cleveland State’s Macey Fegan hit a three 20 seconds in to start a 7-0 run. NKU’s Halle Idowu ended the Vikings’ run by going 2-2 at the free-throw line. The Vikings maintained a steady lead as they shot 2-3 from three to start the game. 

With 30 seconds left in the quarter, NKU’s Noelle Hubert made the first field goal of the night for the Norse after the team started 0-14 from the field. Despite shooting 1-14 from the field, the Norse were able to stay in the game by going 5-6 at the free-throw line. 

The Vikings led 15-8 at the end of the first quarter. 

The second quarter began and Kamora Morgan knocked down back-to-back threes for the Norse. The Vikings responded with a 6-0 run to take the double digit lead at 24-14. Both teams traded buckets as the Norse had no answer for Cleveland State’s Jordana Reisma, allowing her to shoot 6-8 from the field, scoring 13 points in the first half. Idowu was able to cut the Norse’s deficit down to single digits as the Vikings led 30-22 going into half time. 

The Vikings started the third quarter with a 6-0 run. NKU’s Jaci Jones converted her first shot of the night with a three to end the Vikings run. The Vikings turned it over and Morgan ran it down the court for a layup, cutting the Norse’s deficit to eight. The Vikings responded with a 7-2 run as Cleveland State took a 49-34 lead to end the third quarter. 

Morgan opened up the fourth quarter with a layup and Hubert knocked down a three. 

Cleveland State’s Sara Guerreiro immediately answered with a three-pointer to secure a double-double. The Vikings climbed to take their largest lead of the night at 17, as they led 60-43. 

The Norse battled back but could never surpass the double-digit deficit, shooting only 29.5% from the field and 26.1% from beyond the arc. The Norse fell to Cleveland State 67-54.

Morgan led all scorers with 21 points.

NKU looks to bounce back after falling 2-7 on the year on Saturday against Youngstown State for the Horizon League home opener. Tip off is set for 1 p.m.