TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State dropped a heart-breaking 70-68 last-second decision to Northern Kentucky on Monday night in a game that featured 15 lead changes and eight ties.
 
The Sycamores fall to 2-8 on the year while the Norse move back to .500 at 5-5.
 
Trailing 68-66 with 26 seconds to go in the contest, freshman Del'Janae Williams broke free for an open jumper and came up just short. Marie Hunter outhustled the opposition, as she did for most of the game, to come down with the offensive board, giving Williams a chance to redeem herself. The guard sliced through the defense for a layup, knotting the score at 68 with a layup at 13 seconds to go.
 
Ally Niece of Northern Kentucky would then take over for the Norse, handling the intense Sycamore defensive pressure to drain a jumper with three seconds left, giving NKU the 70-68 victory.
 
It was a game of runs in the Hulman Center, as both teams would routinely answer each other when a lead was built. Neither team would own a lead bigger than three at the end of a period.
 
The Trees got impressive minutes from their starting frontcourt, as Hunter, Williams and Sommer Pitzer each recorded 16 points to lead the scoring effort. ISU didn't knock down a triple until 7:00 left in the third frame, which opened up the flood gates for Pitzer.
 
Pitzer, the freshman guard, went four of six from behind the line in the second half, finishing with four of the Sycamores' five three pointers.
 
Northern Kentucky managed to do something only one team prior to Monday night had done, and that was out-rebound the Sycamores. NKU held a 40-35 advantage on the glass with Hunter and Jamyra McChristine both with seven rebounds.
 
On the defensive end, ISU was strong, forcing the Norse into 19 turnovers while also finishing with 11 steals and 10 blocks. All over the floor, Hunter ended with four steals to lead the blue and white while Williams finished with a team-high three blocks.
 
Indiana State's offense struggled to warm up to start the game, falling behind 9-3 with 6:46 to go in the period. ISU would end the first on a 5-0 run to pull within one, capped off by a Williams layup with 31 seconds to go to make it 11-10 in favor of the Norse.
 
After heading into halftime tied-up at 28, The Sycamores started the second half on a 9-2 run which featured a triple and two free throws from Pitzer to give the Trees a 37-30 lead. Always responding, NKU would then go on a 10-2 run to take a 40-39 advantage. The Norse would then take a 47-41 lead before a McChristine lay-in would end the run. ISU trailed 49-46 heading into the final quarter.
 
ISU grabbed the lead, 55-53, with 6:51 remaining in the period thanks to a three from Pitzer and would hold the lead until a Molly Glick triple put the Norse back on-top, 68-66 with 1:40 remaining.
 
Northern Kentucky was led by Ally Niece who ended with 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Women's Basketball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.