The Northern Kentucky Lady Norse returned to the friendly confines of Truist Arena after playing seven of their first eight games on the road to begin the season. Another non-conference matchup against former GLVC rival Southern Indiana awaited NKU was on the docket.
The Screaming Eagles arrived in Highland Heights winners of their last three and were looking for the home and home sweep of NKU after last season’s 75-73 win in Evansville.
The familiarity of their surroundings paid off as the Lady Norse thwarted every run USI threw at them and headed home with a 77-71 overtime win to start a three game homestand off on the right foot.
The game certainly did not start off the way Northern Kentucky had envisioned as the Screaming Eagles raced out to a quick 7-0 lead before the clock had ticked off a full three minutes. Junior Mia Jordan’s three from the top of the key ended the USI run and ignited a 5-0 run for the Lady Norse. After trading baskets, Southern Indiana headed to the first media timeout leading 12-9 and carrying the momentum.
Out of the timeout, Taysha Rushton banked in a deep three and hit a runner in the lane to put the Lady Norse on top 14-12. Rushton struck again moments later with another deep three and NKU led 19-16 with 1:28 remaining in the first quarter. However, USI would not be fazed hitting a bucket and forcing an Northern Kentucky turnover to end the first period leading 22-21.
The second quarter started with both teams going nearly three minutes without scoring. That would not last long as USI got a quick score, forced another NKU turnover and took it in for an easy layup and a 26-21 lead with 5:39 remaining in the first half.
Freshman Maddie Moody ended the USI run with a layup in the lane and Northern Kentucky trailed 26-23 heading to the television timeout.
Out of the timeout, the Screaming Eagles went right to one of their main scorers in junior Chloe Gannon, who put up a quick four points. Add in another Lady Norse turnover and USI pushed their lead to 32-27. NKU pulled to within two and had a chance to either tie or take the lead into the half, but both attempts were blocked as the horn sounded and the Screaming Eagles headed to the locker room with a 32-30 advantage.
NKU shot 36% from the field (11-30) and 26% (4-15) from behind the arc. USI controlled the paint outscoring the Norse 20-10 all while shooting 45% from the field.
Moody led the Norse in the first half scoring ten points to go along with three rebounds. Rushton chipped in nine of her own and Senior Mya Meredith pitched in four points to go along with five assists, tying her career high. Freshman Karina Bystry, who led NKU in scoring the last three games, was held scoreless while only managing three field goal attempts.
Bystry would not remain scoreless for long as she hit a deep three from the corner and another from the wing to begin the second half and Northern Kentucky was back in it tied at thirty-six.
Later in the quarter the Norse would extend their lead to four as Bystry found a wide-open Abby Wolterman in the lane putting NKU up 45-41.
Southern Indiana would finish out the quarter on a 6-3 run, a result of an Ali Saunders steal and conversion and a Chloe Gannon mid-range jumper and led 48-47 after three.
The fourth quarter would provide all the excitement those in attendance came to see. USI’s Ali Saunders continued her hot hand by hitting a deep three to open the final frame to extend their lead to 51-47.
NKU would not fold as Meredith hit a corner three followed by another three from Rushton as the shot clock expired and the Norse found themselves back even with the Screaming Eagles. A Rushton heat check from the corner on the next NKU possession put the Norse on top 56-53 with 5:24 remaining in the game.
A pair of Bystry free throws pushed the Northern Kentucky lead to 58-53 but USI got an and one from Chloe Gannon to pull within 58-56. Bystry however was not finished as she drilled another three from the top of the key and another from the wing for a personal 6-0 run and NKU led 64-61 with 2:56 remaining.
A Saunders three from deep later cut the Norse lead to 65-64 with less than one minute left in regulation.
The Northern Kentucky faithful held their breath on the next possession after a scramble for a loose ball ended in a tie-up which favored Southern Indiana, but left Rushton on the floor with what appeared to be a serious injury. After being checked out by the NKU training staff, Rushton walked off the floor under her own power and 32.4 seconds remaining on the clock.
Chloe Gannon was fouled on the ensuing USI possession sending her to the line where she missed the attempt and Northern Kentucky called a timeout opting to take possession at half court.
NKU was forced out of whatever play was drawn up and a Rushton runner was off the mark sending the game to overtime tied at sixty-six and giving those in attendance bonus basketball.
The overtime period was all Northern Kentucky as they outscored USI 11-5 highlighted by a runner by Moody and Bystry and free throws from Rushton and Meredith to account for the final margin.
The Lady Norse were led by Rushton’s 20 points and Bystry with 15. Moody added 15 points to go along with 12 rebounds and two assists. Meredith finished with eleven points to go with five assists.
NKU shot 35% (24-67) from the field and 38% (13-34) from behind the arc, while the bench outscored Southern Indiana 34-8 and the Norse forced sixteen USI turnovers.
From the Press Room:
Hans on a solid non-conference win; “What a game, two good teams really battling it out today. It was a total team effort out there and I am really proud of that.”
Bystry when asked what her mindset was going scoreless in first half and then taking over in second half; “First half for me was really bad, but I knew I couldn’t let my teammates down.”
Hans on the start of Horizon League play this week; “I think you have seen it over the last five games, minus the Stetson one, it’s going to take time and building that team trust. We have Green Bay the defending champs the first game and then Robert Morris who ended our season last year, but at least they are here at home we will keep figuring things out and working, but our confidence needs to continue to be there.”
Next Up:
NKU welcomes in defending Horizon League champion Green Bay to open Horizon League conference play on Thursday. Tip set for 7:00pm.
