After a week off for final exams, the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team returns to action on Sunday, hosting West Virginia State in the front half of a doubleheader with the men’s team. Tipoff from BB&T Arena is set for 4:30 p.m., with the game carried live on ESPN3.
The Matchup
West Virginia State University Yellow Jackets (3-5)
Northern Kentucky University Norse (6-2)
Sunday, Dec. 13 – 7 p.m.
BB&T Arena (9,400) – Highland Heights, Ky.
TV: ESPN3 // Andrew Kappes (PBP) and Brad Redford (Analyst)
Series History: First meeting
Last Time Out – The Norse got a career-high 19 points from Sarah Kinch and a double-double from Shar’Rae Davis to take a 77-64 win over IPFW on Saturday. A 13-2 first-quarter run for the Norse, capped by six uninterrupted points from Davis, put the Norse ahead for good in the contest as NKU shot 45.8 percent from the field. Christine Roush added 16 points and a career-high four blocks in the contest as well.
Northern Kentucky University’s women’s basketball team returns to action on Sunday, hosting West Virginia State in the front half of a doubleheader with the men’s team (NKU Athletics Photo)
About West Virginia State – The Yellow Jackets enter Sunday’s contest with a 3-5 record after dropping a one-point decision at Urbana (Ohio) last Saturday. WVSU boasts three players averaging double-figures for points, led by Laura Szorenyi who is chipping in 15.8 points per game on 44 percent shooting. Aurreshae Hines adds 14.3 points per contest and Alexus Hobbs has 10.3 points per game to go with 7.4 rebounds.
The Series – Saturday’s game against WVSU will be the first in the all-time series between the teams, and will mark the first of seven first-time opponents for the Norse this season. In addition to Wednesday’s matchup against IU-Kokomo, NKU has yet to face five of their nine Horizon League opponents in previous seasons.
Home Support – Northern Kentucky has enjoyed strong support during the nonconference schedule so far this year. In five home contests, NKU has an average attendance of 1,709, ranking second in the Horizon League behind Green Bay, who is averaging 2,837 fans across two home contests. NKU’s highest home attendance in the Division I era came during the 2012-13 season, when NKU averaged 1,275 fans in 13 games.
Reserve Power – NKU has seen strong scoring efforts from the bench through eight games this season, averaging 23.2 points per game from non-starters. The contribution has been even stronger over the last two games, as the bench poured in 37 points against Kentucky and 42 against IPFW, accounting for more than half of NKU’s scoring in each of those contests. In comparison, NKU’s opponents have scored 15.5 points per game from their reserve players.
Fast Break Points
• Northern Kentucky ranks third in the Horizon League in scoring, averaging 74.6 points per game.
• The Norse have scored 70 or more points in six of eight games so far this season, winning all six of those contests.
• NKU continues to be the League’s strongest free-throw shooting team, connecting on 78 percent of attempts.
• If included in the national statistics rankings, NKU would stand fifth in the country in free-throw percentage.
• NKU is also leading the League in outside shooting, knocking down threes at a 39.7 percent clip.
• NKU has remained in the RPI top 100 since the initial ranking was released one week ago, and enters Sunday’s game with a ranking of 82.
• NKU is one of seven Horizon League teams to claim a .500 or better record so far this season.
• The Norse blocked nine shots in Saturday’s win over IPFW, the most since a nine-block performance against Jacksonville on Feb. 15, 2014
• NKU has seen big contributions from the bench over the last two games, averaging 39.5 points in games against Kentucky and IPFW.
• G Sarah Kinch backed up her career-tying 16 points against UK with a new career-high 19 points in Saturday’s win over IPFW.
• Kinch averaged 17.5 points over the last week, hitting 57.1 percent (12-of-21) of her shots and going 4-for-6 from long range.
• G Shar’Rae Davis netted her first double-double in an NKU uniform on Saturday, scoring 14 points and grabbing 12 rebounds against IPFW.
• NKU claims two of the top three free-throw shooters in the League in G Christine Roush (92.9 percent) and F Kasey Uetrecht (88.2%).
• Roush is in the national conversation as well for free-throw shooting (10th), 3-point shooting (41.3%, 83rd) and scoring (16.9, 100th).
• Uetrecht’s team-leading two steals per game ranks 185th in the national statistics.
NKU men host Norfolk State
Following a three-game road trip, the Northern Kentucky University men’s basketball team returns to its home court BB&T Arena for three of the next four contests. The Norse welcome Norfolk State at 7 p.m. on Sunday in the first of those games.
Game Information
Northern Kentucky University Norse (1-5 Overall, 0-0 Horizon League)
Norfolk State University Spartans (4-4 Overall, 0-0 MEAC)
Sunday, Dec. 13 – 7 p.m. (ET)
BB&T Arena (9,400) in Highland Heights, Ky.
TV: ESPN3 with Brady Laber (Play-by-Play) and Brad Redford (Analysis)
Radio: ESPN1530 (1530 AM) with Jim Kelch (Play-by-Play) and Steve Moeller (Analysis)
Scouting Norfolk State: Norfolk State is 4-4 on the year and is riding a three-game win-streak that includes victories over Northern Arizona, Mercy College (DII) and Coppin State.
The Spartans are scoring at a 73.2 point-per-game clip with three players averaging double-figures. Jeff Short leads the trio at 18.1 points per game and D’Shon Taylor checks in at 15.3 and Charles Oliver at 13.1. NSU converts 42.2 percent of its field-goal attempts. However, its Norfolk State’s 3-point shooting that leads the way. The Spartans are ranked 14th in the country at 42.3 percent from long range. Zanyah Robinson is the team’s facilitator, with 26 assists to just six turnovers on the year. Robinson ranks 13th nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.33-to-1).
Series Stuff: Northern Kentucky and Norfolk State will meet on the hardwood for the first time ever. The Spartans are one of nine new opponents for the Norse this season, including Cleveland State, Detroit, Green Bay, IU-Kokomo, Michigan, Milwaukee, UIC and Valparaiso.
Last Time Out: Eastern Illinois. It took an overtime period to decide the contest, but Northern Kentucky suffered a 79-73 setback at Eastern Illinois in its last outing on Dec. 5. Holland and Billups teamed up to record a pair of double-doubles for NKU, marking the first time the feat has been accomplished in nearly five years. Holland went for 17 points and 12 rebounds and Billups added 17 points with 10 boards. The Norse were active on the glass the entire game, winning the battle of the boards, 45-34. A 14-5 edge in offensive caroms led to NKU also outscoring EIU, 15-11, in second chance points. Cornell Johnston paced the Panthers with a game-high 24 points.
Fast Break Points
• NKU opens a stretch where it will play three of its next four games @theBBTArena.
• Against EIU, F Jalen Billups and G Lavone Holland II recorded double-doubles, the first Norse to do so in the same game since 09-10.
• NKU outrebounded EIU, 45-34, including a 14-5 edge in offensive rebounds.
• According to kenpom.com, NKU has played the 25th toughest schedule with games vs. XU (10th) & West Virginia (22nd).
• Nine Norse are averaging 10 or more minutes per game this season, led by Holland at 32.7.
• Billups led the nation w/ 69.6% shooting last year, and is currently 15th nationally at 65.3% (32-49) this year.
• Billups ranks among NKU’s all-time leaders in FG % (2nd, .636), blocks (5th, 106) & blocks per game (11th, 1.1).
• Billups and G Tyler White are climbing NKU’s all-time scoring list. Billups ranks 31st w/ 902 points & White is No. 40 (822).
• With 17 points at EIU, Billups eclipsed 900 career points. He now has his sights set on 1,000 and is 98 points away.
• White led NKU in made 3’s (66) in ‘14-15 & is t-11th in NKU’s record books with 150-career treys.
• In the last five games, Holland has averaged 12.4 points, 9.2 rebounds & 5.8 assists per game.
• Holland is averaging a team-best 8.3 rebounds per game.
• Holland has reached double-figures in all six contests this season, the only Norse to do so.
• If Holland continues at 5.2 assists per game he will record a top-10 single-season assist average (9th) at NKU.
• G Cole Murray has had the hot hand from long range, shooting 44% (11-of-25) from behind the arc this year.
From NKU Athletics
