The NKU Lady Norse returned home for a long awaited three-game homestand as they welcomed in Milwaukee for what they hoped to be the first of three wins.
Milwaukee entered the game 4-16 overall and 1-8 in the Horizon League while the Norse entered the contest at 6-14 overall and 3-6 in the Horizon. The Lady Norse squeaked out a 68-65 win back in early January in Milwaukee and looked to take the season series.
The second matchup was much of the same as the Norse fought off a valiant Milwaukee comeback in the final quarter and pulled out another win 66-62.
The final frame is where most of the excitement of the evening occurred. Leading 54-46 after three quarters, NKU struggled in the fourth quarter mustering only 5 points up to the 1:09 mark remaining in the game and led only 59-55 with Milwaukee having possession coming out of a timeout.
An NKU foul and two converted free throws by the Panthers cut the Norse lead to 59-57 with 1:00 remaining.
Macey Blevins was fouled on a drive to the lane with 47 seconds remaining and proceeded to hit both free throws to extend the NKU lead to 61-57.
Milwaukee struggled to get an open look on their next possession missing a deep three from the corner. The fight for the rebound was called Milwaukee possession. Being under two minutes remaining in the game, the officials headed to the monitor to confirm the call was correct. Official review determined it was indeed the correct call and Milwaukee retained possession. However, the Panthers wasted that added possession by being called for a five second violation giving the ball back to the Norse.
Blevins was fouled again on the inbound and proceeded to hit 1-of-2 free throws to push the lead to 62-57 with 29.5 seconds remaining.
The ensuing Milwaukee possession saw the Panthers hit another short jumper to cut it to 62-59.
NKU was immediately fouled on the inbound and Jaci Jones calmly walked to the line and sank two free throws to push it back to 64-59.
A deep three on the next Panther possession pulled them to within 64-62, but that was as close as they would get. Blevins sank two free throws to account for the final margin.
The Good
NKU closed out the game by hitting 10-of-11 free throws which helped them overcome going 1-for-12 from the field. The Lady Norse finished the night hitting 16-of-17 free throws for 94.1%.
Overall, NKU shot 35% from the field and 37% from behind the arc.
The Norse placed four players in double figures led by Blevins and Mya Meredith with 13 points each and Abby Wolterman and Halle Idowu with 10 apiece. Jones pitched in 9 points.
Wolterman on what was flowing for her offensively; “Just having more confidence. Knowing if they don’t guard me, I am going to knock down a shot. Doing what I do inside and being strong.”
Idowu on the difference in the second half for her as she went for 8 points and 4 rebounds: “Just trusting my teammates and not forcing it and being patient. Trusting myself.”
Blevins added 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Meredith and Wolterman shared team honors in rebounds with both pulling down 8.
Jeff Hans when asked to comment on the final result said, “Team played very well thought it was a good effort by everybody. We were better early on tonight. Got behind early when we played up there. We were playing ahead tonight and held on at the end. Rebounding was much better. Milwaukee and us have been in close games all season long and it’s how it’s going to be no matter who we are playing against.”
The Not-so-Good
The aforementioned struggles from the field in the 4th quarter – NKU shot 1-for-12 from the field and went 0-for-6 from behind the arc.
NKU was outscored in the paint 40-18 and was outscored in bench points 28-11.
Next Up NKU continues their homestand on Saturday as they welcome in Green Bay. The Phoenix defeated the Norse 78-59 back on January 2nd.
