Northern Kentucky women’s basketball welcomes Wright State to BB&T Arena for a Horizon League rivalry matchup on Saturday, Jan. 13. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3 with live streaming available on computers, tablets, smart phones and streaming devices through WatchESPN and the ESPN App.
Northern Kentucky (4-11, 2-2 HL) vs. Wright State (12-4, 3-1 HL)
Saturday, Jan. 13– 1 p.m. ET
Highland Heights, Ky. – BB&T Arena
LAST TIME OUT: After a strong two weeks of play from the end of the nonconference season through the first three Horizon League games, NKU faltered at Oakland with a low shooting percentage that allowed the Golden Grizzlies to take a 79-53 decision. Taryn Taugher was one point and rebound away from her first career double-double, and also led the team with three assists. Norse freshmen Samari Mowbray and Kailey Coffey paced the team in scoring, each in double figures, but a 25-point performance aided by six 3-pointers from Oakland’s Cierra Bond put the game out of reach for the Norse.
SCOUTING WRIGHT STATE: The Raiders enter the weekend ranked No. 13 in the latest CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major poll, sitting at 12-4 overall and 3-1 in Horizon League play with the only HL loss coming against then-No. 19/20 Green Bay in the League opener. Wright State boasts offensive firepower with the top scoring offense in the League and No. 32 in the nation with 78.5 points per game, led by Preseason Horizon League Player of the Year Chelsea Welch. In her capstone season, Welch is leading the League not only in scoring (21.9 ppg, No. 13 nationally), but is also tops in assists per game (5.1) and has an impressive 2.79 assist-to-turnover ratio. The Raiders also have the most efficient 3-point shooter in the League with Mackenzie Taylor hitting 2.31 triples a contest at a .435 clip, and Symone Simmons has put in the work down low to rank second in the HL in rebounds per game (8.3) and fourth in blocks per game (1.1).
As a team, the Raiders are also at the top of the Horizon League in several categories. Aside from scoring, WSU also leads the HL in rebounds per game (42.25), scoring margin (+17.9), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.35) and 3-point field goal percentage (.349).
ROOKIES IN THE RANKS: NKU has had some key performances from its freshman class, which has come in to contribute right away. Two rookies lead the team in rebounding (Kailey Coffey – 6.3 rpg; Grace White – 4.9 rpg) to keep the Norse at a +5.2 rebounding margin over opponents, a number that ranks fifth in the Horizon League. Coffey has the 11th-highest rebounding average in the Horizon League, and sits at fifth in the League with 2.7 offensive rpg. Samari Mowbray has also contributed heavily on both the offensive and defensive end, averaging 9.5 ppg at a .439 clip, and is nabbing 1.6 steals per game.
TOP STATS: In addition to ranking fifth in the Horizon League in rebound margin (+5.2), the Norse are in the top-five of several statistical categories. In terms of defense, NKU ranks third in field goal percentage defense (.374) and fourth in scoring defense (59.5) and rebounding defense (32.1). The Norse are also fifth in 3-point field goal defense, keeping teams to .300 from long range.
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Chloe Smith
Assistant Athletic Communications Director
Northern Kentucky University
