NKU players and head coach Nancy Winstel pose after defeating Georgetown.
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Nancy Winstel recorded her 600th career win as Northern Kentucky University's head coach Tuesday night with a 71-59 victory against Georgetown (Ky.).
Casse Mogan scored 21 points and collected four steals for NKU, which improved to 3-2. Mogan, a junior guard from Circleville, Ohio, also added three blocked shots and four assists as the Norse helped Winstel reach another career milestone.
“It makes me feel old; I told the referee I feel 600,” Winstel said of getting her 600th win at NKU. “It's a neat thing for the program because it says a lot about the tradition of the girls. From a coach's standpoint, you're only as good as your players. I don't win ballgames; hopefully I try my best not to screw it up and lose ballgames, but players win them and coaches are a part of it.”
Winstel now has 639 career victories, including 600 wins on the Norse sideline in 28 years. Her 639 victories are fourth all-time in NCAA Division II history. Winstel also picked up 39 wins in three seasons as the head coach at Midway (Ky.).
NKU finished with 10 blocked shots and held Georgetown (4-4) to 33.3 percent shooting from the field to win its home opener. The Norse built a 21-point lead (47-26) in the second half and held off a late Georgetown rally.
NKU shot 50 percent from the field and finished 17-for-23 (73.9 percent) from the free-throw line. Sophomore center
Ellen Holton added 12 points for NKU. Holton netted 10 points and grabbed five rebounds in the first half as the Norse jumped out to a 32-19 lead at the break.
“I thought
Casse Mogan had a great second half,” Winstel said. “
Ellen Holton had a good first half for us. She got into a little foul trouble, so in the second half I feel like Mo just kind of took over. We're trying to get better as a team, and we're a work in progress. Hopefully we'll get better as time goes on.”
NKU's
Sadie Bowling recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. She also added three assists and two steals. Mogan, who earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference honors last season after leading NKU in scoring, said Holton and Bowling are key performers.
“Ellen has done a really good job helping us in the post. She has good post moves and finishes well,” Mogan said. “
Sadie Bowling has been draining threes lately, so you just pass out to her and she helps out a lot. When she shoots the three, it leaves the lane wide open for drives.”
Mogan now has 664 career points, which ranks 52nd in Norse history.
Kendra Caldwell pulled down eight rebounds as NKU defeated Georgetown (4-4) for the sixth consecutive time.
Jaimie Hamlet added nine points and six assists for NKU, which is 15-1 all-time against Georgetown.
Mikkah Rogers led Georgetown with 17 points.
NKU plays host to Wayne State (Mich.) Saturday at 2 p.m.
