Northern Kentucky women’s basketball made the most of opening weekend in Horizon League play, defeating Robert Morris for the second-straight day, 62-50. The Norse are now 2-4 on the season and undefeated in league action, while Robert Morris remains winless on the year.
STATS LEADERS
- It was a near-perfect day for Ivy Turner, where she led NKU with 18 points on 7-for-10 (70 percent) shooting. The sophomore also added six rebounds and three assists to her name.
- Grayson Rose had an explosive first half, notching all 11 of her points in the opening 20 minutes. She had six boards and went a perfect 4-of-4 (100 percent) from the free throw line.
- Lindsey Duvall fell short of her fourth double-double in a row, but did well in contributing 12 points and 7 rebounds.
- Ally Niece was the fourth Norse in double-figures, giving 10 to the NKU cause, as well as four assists, three rebounds and a steal.
- Kailey Coffey was effective with eight rebounds and four assists to go along with her four points.
TURNING POINT
- An 11-2 run to end the first half gave NKU a 14-point cushion to cruise to a victory.
FIRST HALF SUMMARY
- A pair of layups by Rose and Coffey on the opening-two offensive possessions gave NKU an early 4-0 lead.
- Although Robert Morris followed with a triple, the Norse kept on the pressure with a jumper by Turner, a layup by Duvall and a free throw from Niece, extending the NKU lead to 9-3 with 6:08 left in the first.
- RMU put together nine-unanswered points to take its first lead of the afternoon with 2:44 left in the opening quarter. Niece stopped the bleeding by making a tough basket down low and completing the and-one to tie the matchup at 12.
- Rose wrapped up the quarter by sinking a three-pointer and also went to the line for two to give the Norse a 19-15 edge.
- Carissa Garcia nailed a quick jumper, while Duvall and Rose put down a triple and a couple of free throws, respectively, to kick off the second quarter.
- Rose’s hot start continued with another made-shot down low with 4:05 to go, triggering an 11-2 run to end the half, sending NKU to the locker room with a 37-23 lead.
- NKU shot 14-of-28 (50 percent) in the opening half and led the rebounding battle by an outstanding 24-5 margin.
SECOND HALF SUMMARY
- RMU’s halftime adjustments gave the Norse a little trouble as the Colonials matched NKU with four points apiece in the first five minutes of the new half.
- After a pair of two-point jumpers and a three-pointer sank Robert Morris, Turner and Souder each contributed threes at the 4:18 and 2:07 marks of the third to keep them out of reach.
- The Norse increased their halftime-lead with a quick seven points to end the third quarter. Duvall added two at the line, Turner hit another shot from deep and Coffey put up a pair of free throws to make it a 19-point gap heading into the fourth.
- Duvall made another free throw after being fouled to start the final quarter before following up with a jumper on the next Norse possession. Turner was next to the charity stripe and made another two shots, further increasing the NKU lead, 58-36.
- Eight-unanswered points followed for Robert Morris, but the Norse had the game wrapped up, as Ivy Turner ended the run with a layup with 4:19 to go.
- Duvall added the final NKU points of the day with a made-jumper with 1:06 left on the clock.
GAME NOTES
- NKU’s rebounding focus continues to be the story in the young season after outrebounding RMU 43-19 on the afternoon. The Norse are now leading their opponents by an average of 11.8 boards a game (41.8-30.0).
- All five of NKU’s starters scored within the first four minutes.
- Turner and Rose’s scoring on the day are season-bests, surpassing their marks of 15 against Akron (Dec. 1) and nine against Bowling Green (Dec. 3), respectively.
- This is the first game of the season where NKU had four players in double-figures. A year ago, the Norse were undefeated at 7-0 when that happened.
- Clean play by the Norse ensured that Robert Morris didn’t shoot a free throw until the 5:51 mark of the fourth quarter.
UP NEXTThe Norse will now play Purdue Fort Wayne on the road in back-to-back games this coming weekend on December 19 and 20. Both games will air on ESPN+, with Saturday’s matchup beginning at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday’s starting at noon.
–Robby Johnson – Athletic Communications Graduate Assistant (WSOC/MSOC/BASE)Communications and Media Services – Northern Kentucky University