INDIANAPOLIS – The Horizon League announced on Monday, Jan. 7, that Northern Kentucky women's basketball rookie Ally Niece was named the Nike© Horizon League Freshman of the Week. It marks the first accolade of her career and she is the first Norse to garner weekly honors this season. The last NKU player to be named the league's freshman of the week was Grace White on Jan. 2, 2018.
 
Niece averaged 16.0 points and 3.0 assists per game against Milwaukee and Green Bay, leading the Norse to a victory over the Panthers. The freshman point guard shot .500 from the field and a blistering .750 from 3-point range, sinking 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. Niece started off the weekend with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists against Milwaukee and capped it off with a career-high 21 points against Green Bay on 6-of-11 shooting, including 5-for-7 from downtown. Additionally, Niece added three steals and was 6-for-6 from the charity stripe for the Norse. She has now scored in double figures in each of NKU's four Horizon League contests this year.
 
"In our first four games, Ally has been very consistent, which is what our team needs from the starting point guard," commented head coach Camryn Whitaker. "It's easy to see the confidence continue to build in her as we get deeper in the season. I'm happy for Ally and for our team who all contribute to her success!"
 
NKU continues Horizon League play at home this weekend against Wright State on Saturday, Jan. 12. Tip-off against the Raiders is set for 2 p.m. ET as the Norse celebrate Alumnae Day, Princess Day, and Pendleton County Day.