HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Central Arkansas fell behind 14-4 in the first few moments at Northern Kentucky on Monday and never quite recovered as the Norse led wire to wire en route to dealing the Sugar Bears a 72-56 defeat at the BB&T Arena.

The Sugar Bears (1-4) fell behind by as many as 18 in the first half as the Norse (2-4) came out of the gate shooting a blistering 72.7 percent (8 of 11) from the field in the first quarter and finished the half with four 3-pointers and 10-for-14 shooting from the free throw line. Meanwhile, the Sugar Bears knocked down just one outside shot and were 1-of-7 from the free throw line over the first 20 minute.

NKU was aided by 30 free throw attempts as the Sugar Bears were whistled for a season-high 29 fouls; and the Norse scored 23 points off a season-high 26 Sugar Bear turnovers. The Norse would finish the game 8-of-22 from long range, while the Sugar Bears finished just 1-for-5. Overall, the Sugar Bears finished with a higher shooting percentage than the Norse, hitting 45.8 percent to NKU's 42.1; and won the rebounding battle 39 to 35 – but it would not be enough to draw any closer than 15 the rest of the way.

The Sugar Bears got 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from freshman forward Terri Crawford, who also had 6 rebounds and 3 blocks in 25 minutes off the bench. Junior forward Hannah Langhi just missed a double-double with 9 points and a season-high 10 rebounds – including 6 on the offensive end – and added 2 blocks. Junior guard Savanna Walker added 9 points, while senior Taylor Sells and freshman Brionna Budgetts added 8 points and 3 rebounds.

NKU got 14 points from Ally Niece, 13 from Ivy Turner and 11 from Molly Glick. Niece had a game-high 4 assists as NKU registered 13 on their 24 field goals, while the Sugar Bears had just 5 on their 22, led by a pair from Sells.

After dropping their last three on the road, the Sugar Bears look to snap their skid on Saturday back at home in the Farris Center when they host Jackson State at 1:00pm.