Youthful Norse women step up defensively, look for third straight win Saturday at 1 p.m.

By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter

The starting lineup features three freshmen and a sophomore. Two of the top three reserves are also freshmen, and the roster includes just one senior.

The task of rebuilding Northern Kentucky University’s women’s basketball program wasn’t expected to be easy for head coach Camryn Whitaker, who is now seeing her youthful team improving each day. The Norse have won two straight games — the latest a 66-59 triumph against Oakland on Thursday — and have a chance to extend that streak to three on Saturday when Detroit Mercy visits BB&T Arena at 1 p.m.

Whitaker, in her second year at NKU, watched her team avenge an early-season 79-53 loss to Oakland as sophomore Molly Glick poured in 19 points on Thursday. Glick also grabbed seven rebounds as the Norse improved to 7-17 overall, 5-8 in the Horizon League.

“Oakland beat us by 26 points the last time we played, but we’re a different team now,” Whitaker said at her postgame press conference, noting the maturation process of her team. “The last three games our defensive effort has been really good. We held Green Bay and Milwaukee both under 60 points.

“Our defense did it again against Oakland. That’s our staple. We talk about it all the time.”

NKU held Oakland to just two field goals in the third quarter to gain control of the game. The visitors shot just 40 percent from the field, and NKU finished with a 37-29 advantage on the boards.

NKU freshman guard Samari Mowbray came off the bench and scored 10 points against Oakland. She also grabbed four rebounds and added three assists. Sophomore guard Taryn Taugher also netted 10 points in a reserve role.

NKU’s freshmen trio of starters — Kailey Coffey, Jazmyne Geist and Grace White — combined for 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Geist also added three steals.

Coffey, a 5-foot-10 forward from Russell Springs, Ky., averages 9.4 points and a team-leading 6.3 rebounds per game.

Mikayla Terry — NKU’s only senior — added eight points and five assists against Oakland. Terry leads the Norse with 73 assists this season.

Detroit Mercy enters Saturday with a 1-22 overall record that includes a 1-11 mark in the Horizon League. Earlier this season, NKU posted a 78-67 win over the Titans in Detroit.

Contact Don Owen at don@nkytrib.com and follow him on Twitter at @dontribunesport