NKU's Kendra Caldwell (35) averages 7.7 rebounds per game.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team begins Great Lakes Valley Conference play Thursday by entertaining Southern Indiana at 5:30 p.m. in The Bank of Kentucky Center.
On Saturday, NKU plays host to nationally ranked Indianapolis at 5:30 p.m. The Greyhounds are ranked 11th nationally in this week's Division II poll.
NKU is 4-2 overall after posting a 66-52 win against Wayne State (Mich.) last Saturday. The Norse own a three-game winning streak going into Thursday's contest.
Southern Indiana, which defeated NKU in both meetings last season, owns a 3-2 record. Indianapolis is 4-1 overall and has a bye Thursday night.
NKU is 34-19 all-time against Southern Indiana, including a 16-10 record in Highland Heights, Ky. Southern Indiana, however, is 1-0 against NKU in The Bank of Kentucky Center.
NKU holds a 40-16 lead in the all-time series against Indianapolis. The Norse are 24-6 against the Greyhounds in games played in Highland Heights, Ky.
IN THE POST: Ellen Holton scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead NKU against Wayne State (Mich.). Holton was 8-for-11 from the field, including a 3-pointer in the first half. The 6-foot-1 sophomore, in her first season at NKU after transferring from Tusculum, is now averaging 9.7 points per game.
CONSISTENTLY GOOD: NKU junior guard
Casse Mogan scored 17 points and added five rebounds against Wayne State. Mogan leads NKU in scoring at 16.2 points per game.
Mogan has reached double-figure scoring in five straight games going into Thursday. She currently ranks 50th in school history with 681 career points and needs just seven points to move past Jenny Niehaus for 49th place.
LOWDOWN ON NKU: The Norse are 4-1 when leading at halftime this season, and 0-1 when trailing at intermission. NKU has not allowed an opponent to shoot 50 percent from the field through the first six games.
MILLER TIME: NKU sophomore forward
Shanece Miller scored seven points off the bench against Wayne State. Miller also grabbed two rebounds and dished out two assists in that victory. Miller averages 5.3 points per game and is shooting 70.6 percent from the field.
THE LAST TIME AGAINST USI: On Feb. 18, 2010, NKU watched its 10-game winning streak come to an end during a 75-72 loss in double overtime to Southern Indiana in The Bank of Kentucky Center.
Ellen Young scored 19 points and made two free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining in the second overtime as Southern Indiana pulled out the win. The Screaming Eagles shot just 32.4 percent from the field but made four consecutive free throws in the final 14 seconds to hold off NKU.
NKU owned a 42-30 lead with 14:22 left in the game, but Southern Indiana rallied behind the play of Abby Williams (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Young to tie the score at 44-all with 9:22 remaining.
NKU eventually gained a 51-47 lead with 3:52 left on the clock, but Southern Indiana used a 6-0 run to take a 53-51 advantage.
Casse Mogan made a short jumper with 27 seconds left in regulation to tie the score, and Young missed a well-defended shot at the buzzer to force overtime.
Williams converted a layup with 56 seconds left in the first overtime to give Southern Indiana a 59-57 lead. NKU later took advantage of a Southern Indiana turnover and sent the game into the second overtime when
Whitney Levering buried a 15-foot jumper with one second remaining.
Southern Indiana built a seven-point lead (68-61) with 55 seconds left in the second overtime and held on for the victory.
Brandi Rayburn scored 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead NKU. Mogan added 18 points for the Norse, who made only 37.1 percent of their shots from the field.
Jessie Carmack netted 10 points for the Norse.
Southern Indiana finished with a 52-49 advantage on the glass. Stephanie McSparin grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Screaming Eagles.
TICKETS FOR $1: NKU will hold a Break the Bank promotion Saturday night when Indianapolis visits The Bank of Kentucky Center for a doubleheader. The women's game starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men at 7:45 p.m.
Tickets for that doubleheader can be purchased for $1 at the box office in advance or the night of the game. The first 2,500 fans will receive free basketballs courtesy of McCluskey Chevrolet. There will also be a performance by the Zooperstars group at halftime of the men's game. Call (859) 572-7665 for information.
