NKU takes on Valpo in its conference opener Wednesday night
Valparaiso University Crusaders (4-7, 0-0 Horizon League)
Northern Kentucky University Norse (8-3, 0-0 Horizon League)
Dec. 30 – 7 p.m.
BB&T Arena (9,400) – Highland Heights, Ky.
TV: ESPN3 // Andrew Kappes (PBP) and Kaitlyn Gerrety (Analyst)
Series History: First meeting
Last time out
Despite a career-high 23 points from Rebecca Lyttle, Anita Brown’s fading jumper as time expired in overtime gave Akron a 77-75 victory over the Norse on Dec. 19. Five Norse landed in double-figures, including Kasey Uetrecht, who scored 15 points and added 12 rebounds for her first career double-double. Christine Roush (12), Shar’Rae Davis (11) and Rianna Gayheart (10) also reached double figures in the contest.
The loss dropped NKU’s nonconference record to 8-3, with two of those losses coming by three or fewer points.
About Valparaiso
The Crusaders enter Horizon League play with a 4-7 record, having won four of their last five after an 0-6 start. Jasmyn Walker and Meredith Hamlet lead the scoring for Valpo at 11.6 and 10.9 points per game, respectively. Walker also leads the effort on the boards, averaging 7.8 rebounds a night, ranking in the top 10 among League players.
Dani Franklin has been a super sub for the Crusaders, averaging 9.4 points on 42 percent shooting off the bench, while Hannah Schaub has handled point guard duties with 37 assists in 11 games.
The series
Wednesday’s meeting will be the first between the Norse and the Crusaders. Valparaiso stands as the third of seven brand new opponents for the Norse during the 2015-16 season, with five of those games coming against Horizon League competition.
From long range
With four three-pointers against Akron, Christine Roush claimed sole possession of second all-time in made threes at NKU. Roush has drained 160 shots from beyond the arc, surpassing Michelle Tuchfarber (1997-2001) on the career list. Bridget Flanagan (1999-2003) holds the career record with 253 made three-pointers.
Fast break points
• NKU is 8-1 on the year in games where the Norse score 70 points or more, and 13-2 over the last two seasons when reaching the 70-point mark.
• Saturday’s game against Akron was just NKU’s third overtime game in the Division I era. NKU is 1-2 in extra time since 2012.
• NKU ranks second in the Horizon League in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by an average of 14.4 points per game.
• The Norse have put five players or more in double figures in each of the last two games.
• The Norse are second in the League in field-goal percentage (46.1) and 3-point percentage (38.2) and lead in free-throw shooting (77.7).
• NKU has been strong in the ball-control game, as the team’s +4.4 turnover ratio leads all Horizon League teams.
• The Norse have won each of their last two conference openers, besting USC Upstate in 2013 and Lipscomb last year.
• F Rebecca Lyttle posted a career-high 23-point game against Akron, and came one rebound short of her third double-double.
• F Kasey Uetrecht scored 15 points and added 12 rebounds against Akron to post her first career double-double.
• Uetrecht ranks fifth in the Horizon League in steals as well, averaging 2.1 steals per contest.
• Both Lyttle and Uetrecht logged over 40 minutes in the overtime contest, with Uetrecht playing 43 of the game’s 45 minutes.
• G Christine Roush leads the Horizon League, making 2.7 treys per contest, and ranks third in scoring at 16.7 points per game.
• Roush also continues to lead the League in free-throw shooting at 93.3 percent, but has not had an attempt in her last two games.
(From NKU athletics)
