HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team battled to the final minutes on Saturday, but saw its four-game win streak come to a close as the Norse fell to Wright State, 76-65, at BB&T Arena.

NKU dips to 14-9 overall and 6-6 in the Horizon League, while Wright State moves to 19-6 overall and 9-3 in the League.

Christine Roush issued a 7-of-11 performance from the field, including 6-of-9 showing from long range, as she poured in a team-best 22 points.

Courtney Roush followed with 16 points and a career-high seven rebounds while Rianna Gayheart dished out a season-high eight assists.

The NKU bench outscored the Wright State reserves, 32-7. The Raiders were paced by Kim Demmings with 28 points.

NKU and Wright State traded 5-0 runs to open the game before the Raiders would pull away with 11-straight points in the first period.

The NKU defense held Wright State to 1-of-8 shooting during a four-minute stretch in the second quarter as the offense chipped away at the deficit. Northern Kentucky came within seven points of WSU at 32-25 after a layup by Rebecca Lyttle with 4:02 left in the first half.

Six-straight Norse points ended the opening half with Wright State leading, 38-31. Six different Norse combined for NKU's 14 points in the second quarter as they shot 46.2 percent.

Upon returning to the court, the Raiders' lead grew to 43-31. A 7-2 Norse run brought NKU back within single digits at the 4:24 mark of the third quarter.

In the final frame, NKU held the Raiders to one field goal across the first five minutes. Back-to-back jumpers from Shar'Rae Davis cut the WSU lead to 62-54 with 5:31 remaining in the contest.

The Norse hung on to remain within single digits after a triple from Christine Roush brought NKU within eight with 1:21 to play. However, Wright State would ice the game on 5-of-6 shooting from the free throw line across the final minute.

NKU continues its three-game home stand when it plays host to Detroit on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

NORSE NOTES:

• With Gayheart's contribution of eight assists, NKU posted 15 total on 25 field goals.
• The Norse have forced 15 or more turnovers in 20 of their 23 games this season, and have forced 100 errors in their last six games.
• Christine Roush eclipsed the 20-point mark for the fifth time this season and second time against a Horizon League opponent.
• NKU entered the contest averaging 8.2 treys per game, ranking second among Horizon League squads, and drained nine against Wright State on Saturday.