Ball State too much for Lady Norse as they drop their seventh straight

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Photo courtesy of Northern Kentucky Athletics

The NKU Lady Norse have struggled to find a way to close out games of late, losing their last six and a non-conference match-up against visiting Ball State was an opportunity to break that dubious streak.

NKU was once again without seniors Macey Blevins (knee) and Halle Idowu (knee) which gave others on the Norse roster a chance to step up against a Ball State squad that many have picked to with the Mid-American Conference, but the result was the same as it has been for the last seven games as the Cardinals routed the Lady Norse 77-51.

The Norse jumped out to a 6-2 out of the gate on an Anna Hamilton jumper and a Jaci Jones deep three pushed the Norse lead out to 9-4 and the early momentum in their favor.

Ball State responded to the early NKU run with an 11-0 run of their own on the as the result of back-to-back three pointers, a break breakaway lay in and a deep three from the corner and the Cardinals pushed ahead 15-9 heading to the first television timeout.

Out of the timeout, a three from the corner by Noelle Hubert ended the Ball State run and a Norse defensive stop and a Mya Meredith runner in the lane, had NKU back to within 18-14.

After a Ball State turnover late in the quarter, Anna Hamilton pulled NKU even closer on a layup at 18-16 which is where the first quarter ended.

Ball State began the second quarter hot scoring 6 straight points to extend their lead to 24-18 before a Cardinal foul sent Kamora Morgan to the line where she converted both free throws cutting the BSU lead to 24-20.

Ball State wasted no time getting the ball back up the floor for back-to-back deep threes to go up 10 with 5:56 remaining in the half.

The Cardinals depth and shooting accuracy allowed them to begin pulling away after a deep three from put them up 34-20 with 3:34 remaining in the half forcing a Norse timeout.

NKU could not get anything going offensively going numerous times down the floor resulting in empty possessions until an up and under by Meredith as the shot clock expired stopped the bleeding, but the Norse still trailed 40-22 with under one minute remaining in the half. The Norse managed to end the half on a quick 5-0 run of their own to cut the deficit to 40-27 heading to the locker rooms.

For the half, NKU shot 34% from the field, going 9 for 26 and 30% from behind the arc (3-10). The Norse were outscored in the paint 20-10 and were outscored in fast break points 11-4. Ball State shot a scalding 53% from the field on 16 of 30 shooting and 46% from behind the arc (6-13).

NKU came out to begin the second half with a 7-0 run to cut the Ball State lead to 40-34 barely a minute into the half.

However, that was short lived as the Cardinals proceeded to go on an 11-0 run due in part to smothering defense and the Norse unable to convert on the offensive end. The first television timeout of the half saw Ball State holding a 51-34 lead.

Ball State would keep the pedal pressed to the floor out of the timeout with another quick 8-4 run which pushed their lead out to 59-38.

A Kalissa Lacy pair of free throws with just under one minute left in the third quarter pulled NKU to within 59-40, but a put-back by local product Maria Keifer (Bishop Brossart) pushed it to 61-40 and a deep three from the wing put the proverbial dagger in as the Cardinals led 64-40 heading to the fourth.

The fourth quarter saw the teams tie in points scored 11-11, but in the end, the Cardinals were just too much for the Norse and won going away.

NKU finished the game shooting 29% on 16 of 55 shooting and 27% from behind the arc (5-18). The Norse were outscored in the paint 36-16 and Ball State outscored NKU 22-6 on fast break points. Coach Jeff Hans was asked about the lack of production from his interior players and stated, “we need find a way to get some defensive stops. Need to be smart in certain situations. Need to get Macey and Halle back as soon as we can. But that is part of the injuries and others need to step up.” 

The Norse were led in scoring by Jones with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. On Jones’ offensive output and stat line Hans had this to say; “thought she was a little more composed than what she has been in the past. Thought her shot selection was better today too.”

Lacy chipped in nine points and five rebounds. Morgan contributed eight points to go along with six rebounds.

With the loss, the Lady Norse fall to 2-9 overall (0-2 in conference). Ball State was the fifth NET 50 team the Lady Norse have faced in the early going and when asked how the mounting losses affect the overall morale of the team heading into the conference slate, Hans stated “We’re gonna find out. In some situations, this can crush a team mentally. But I don’t think we are there, and I think we need to go to San Diego and play better. Overall, I think their spirits are good. They come in and compete every day.”

NKU now heads out west for a multi-team event (MTE) in San Diego where they are slated to play host UC-San Diego on Thursday, December 19th and LaSalle on Friday, December 20th. NKU returns home on Sunday, December 29th to take on Oakland as they resume Horizon League play.

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