Christine Roush led the way with 24 points as the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team posted a 71-57 win over Miami (Ohio) on Friday afternoon to open the 2015-16 season.
Roush went 6-for-8 from the floor and hit 9-of-11 free throws to lead three Norse players in double figures. Kasey Uetrecht posted 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Rebecca Lyttle added 14 points in her first game in the Black and Gold as the Norse opened the season at 1-0.
As a team, the Norse shot 40.7 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from long range. Rianna Gayheart dished out six of the team’s 15 assists while adding four points.
Roush was lighting it up early, going for seven points in the game’s first 4:30 as NKU raced out to an 11-5 lead. Baleigh Reid took the RedHawks on her shoulders, scoring the team’s next six points to cut the deficit to two points at 13-11.
After a pair of free throws by Uetrecht to close the scoring in the first, the Norse exploded on an 8-0 run to start the second quarter, keyed by a pair of Uetrecht 3-pointers to stretch the Norse lead to 33-19. The Redhawks found their legs late in the stanza and cut into the advantage, but the Norse took a double-digit lead into halftime at 38-27.
Two quick baskets by the RedHawks to open the third quarter looked to set a tone, but the Norse battled back on a dribble-drive from Uetrecht and a steal and basket from Roush to push the lead back to 11 at 43-32 with 6:26 to go. A 12-2 run by the Norse pushed the lead to 19 points before Miami responded, picking up four points before Uetrecht ended the stanza with a buzzer-beating jumper in the paint to make it 57-40 after three.
The Norse were able to cruise in the fourth quarter, picking up their final seven points from the free throw line to take the win.
Reid led the RedHawks (0-1) with 17 points while Leah Purvis added 15 points, hitting four 3-pointers along the way.
The Norse will look to ride their momentum into Sunday’s home opener against Indiana State. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. with the action carried live on ESPN3.
NORSE NOTES
· NKU moved its record to 3-1 in season openers since reclassifying to Division I. Last season, the Norse took a 76-55 victory from Delaware State on neutral ground in Akron, Ohio.
· The Norse moved their record against Miami to 7-6 all time, and picked up their first win over the RedHawks since reclassifying to Division I in 2012.
· Freshman Molly Glick got the start for the Norse in her first career game, going for seven points and five rebounds in 25 minutes of play.
From NKU Athletics