HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (1-29-25) - Freshman Kailey Starks reached double figures for the second consecutive game with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting and 3-for-4 from the free throw line as Detroit Mercy struggled offensively in the first quarter, leading to a 79-49 setback at Northern Kentucky in #HLWBB action on Wednesday night at Truist Arena.

Junior Myonna Hooper and senior Alize Tripp added seven points each followed by five points from freshman Anna Lassan. 

Northern Kentucky's (8-14, 5-7 HL) blistering start in the first quarter proved to be the difference as the Norse shot 10-for-15 (66.7) and 6-for-9 (66.7) from 3-point range. Conversely, Detroit Mercy (12-8, 6-6 HL) went 3-for-18 and 0-for-5 from long range to trail 29-6.

Defensively, UDM recorded 10 steals and posted 20 points off 28 NKU turnovers. However, the Titans shot a season-low 2-for-20 from 3-point range and 17-for-59 (28.8%) from the field for the game.

NKU's hot shooting continued in the second quarter, going 9-for-14 (64.3) while cooling off from long-range at 1-for-4. The Titans' offensive production increased, scoring 14 points to trail 48-20 at the break.

In the second half, Detroit Mercy added 13 points in the third quarter and 16 points in the fourth but couldn't put a dent in the deficit to pull any closer.

Detroit Mercy travels North on I-75 to Rochester, Mich. for a Metro Series rematch at arch-rival Oakland on Sat, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. on ESPN+