HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky shot nearly 60 percent in the second half to erase a double-digit lead and top the Milwaukee women's basketball team 66-60 at Truist Arena on Thursday night.
 
After the Panthers (5-8, 3-2 Horizon League) built a 26-16 halftime advantage, the Norse took momentum back in the third, outscoring the Panthers 23-11. NKU (9-5, 3-2 Horizon League) carried that into the fourth with a 27-point period to close out MKE.
 
"I thought that first half was some of the best defense we played all season," head coach Kyle Rechlicz said. "But I worried a little that we would run out of legs. To not have Angie Cera and Grace Crowley, we got tired. Down at this back end, we lost some of our communication. I thought our bench did a good job of calling out the action, but it got quiet because we got fatigued."
 
Kendall Nead was lights out in the first half, carrying the Panthers with 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting. The sophomore scored eight of the first 10 MKE points and rolled from there to help the Panthers pull in front 26-16 at the break.
 
Defense was out in full force, holding the Norse to 19.4 percent (6-for-31) from the floor including 1-for-10 from long range.
 
Northern Kentucky responded in the second half and used a 16-5 run to erase the double digit MKE lead and pull in front for the first time. The Norse shot 50 percent and outscored MKE 23-11 in the third for a 39-37 advantage.
 
The momentum carried into the fourth for the home team as NKU rolled out to a double-digit lead at 53-43 with 5:25 to play.
 
Kamy Peppler tried to single-handedly bring the Panthers back, scoring 14 points in the final period, but the deficit was too much to overcome as MKE dropped its fifth straight road game.
 
Northern Kentucky capitalized on the Panthers' 14 turnovers, turning them into 20 points.
 
Nead finished with a career-high 19 points and added four rebounds and two assists. Peppler also reached a new career-high as she totaled 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
 
Megan Walstad pulled in a season-best 12 rebounds and added six points but was whistled for her fifth foul with five minutes left to play.
 
The Panthers will now head to Dayton, Ohio to take on Wright State on Saturday at 12:00 pm.
 
Follow along this season with the Panthers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.