For the fifth-consecutive season, the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team will continue play beyond its conference tournament as the Norse have been selected to be a part of the field of 16 teams in the Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI).
NKU will host South Carolina Upstate in the tournament’s opening round on Thursday, March 17 at BB&T Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the action carried live on ESPN3.
“We had a motto at the beginning of the season, and that was to ‘Elevate,’ and certainly our player have done a tremendous job of that this season, and they’re being rewarded with an opportunity to continue playing,” said head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. “It really is exciting to be a part of March Madness.”
Tickets for the game are $5 for adults, $4 for youth, available at the Alice Sparks Ticket Office at BB&T Arena. Fans can also purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com.
Season ticket holders can claim their regular-season seats by visiting their My Norse Tickets Account, longing on and paying for their tickets.
NKU students receive free admission with their All-Card, and all Norse Kids Club and Coach P’s Platoon will also be admitted free.
This is the fourth time NKU has qualified for the WBI, having competed in the tournament in each of the last three seasons. Last year, NKU hosted a first-round contest in the WBI, falling to Marshall, 81-79.
In 2014, the Norse hosted their first postseason game in the Division I era, defeating McNeese State, 84-72, in the first round of the WBI.
NKU’s Uetrecht named to Horizon All-Tourney team
Northern Kentucky University forward Kasey Uetrecht was named to the Horizon League Women’s Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team, the League office announced.
Uetrecht, a sophomore from Oregonia, Ohio, averaged 17.7 points and 7.3 rebounds over three games in the championship. She shot 59.4 percent (19-for-32) from the field and drained eight three-pointers. Uetrecht also dished out 3.7 assists per game on the week.
Uetrecht scored 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and added five assists in Thursday’s 71-59 win over Cleveland State. She came back against Valparaiso to go 8-for-9 from the field, including 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, for 18 points in a 76-53 win in the second round.
She posted her second double-double on the year in NKU’s semifinal matchup against Green Bay, going for 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in an 80-78 double-overtime loss.
2016 HORIZON LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Kim Demmings, Wright State
Kasey Uetrecht, Northern Kentucky
Jessica Lindstrom, Green Bay
Jenny Lindner, Milwaukee
Mehryn Kraker, Green Bay – Most Valuable Player
From NKU Athletics