Things had been rough entering Sunday’s game on the home Truist Arena court for the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team.
The Norse (4-4, 1-1) had dropped three in a row by a combined 13 points including the Horizon League opener, 59-55 to preseason league favorite Youngstown State on Friday. NKU knew it needed a big win to avoid starting 0-2 in league play and earned it with a 69-54 victory over Robert Morris (6-2, 1-1).
“I’m really happy for the team because I think when you lose three games in a row, you just can get a little down,” said Camryn Whitaker, Northern Kentucky head coach. “It’s natural human nature, so just for our team morale and just getting us back on that winning track means a lot so I’m really proud of the effort. I thought we had some good bench minutes, which was nice to see, and got some people in there. Anytime you can get that live action with fans in the stands, I think it’s good for our girls. I thought we got off to a good start. I thought our kids were locked in.”
Northern Kentucky finished the first half strong building a 38-15 halftime lead, shooting it well as they knocked down 55 percent from the field and 87 percent from the free throw line. The offensive output in the first half caught Robert Morris by surprise, who gave up an average of 48.9 points per game in their first seven games.
The three leading Norse scorers did their thing. Lindsey Duvall put up her fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds with Ivy Turner and Kailee Davis following with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
“(The coaches) always tell us to stick with the game plan so that’s what we did,” Turner said. “We knocked down shots. It went well for us.”
But sophomore forward Trinity Thompson provided a huge lift off the bench helping the Norse build the lead in the first half. Thompson drew four fouls and made 6-of-7 free throws on her way to 10 points. Northern Kentucky outscored Robert Morris, 32-22 in the paint and 11-3 on fast-break opportunities.
“(You just go) in being ready off the bench, staying focused,” Thompson said. “(You don’t) go in trying to score just doing whatever I can do for the team. You have guards like Ivy that hit you on a dump or if it just so happens you have a one-on-one in the post, you go score.”
The Norse made 20-of-47 shots for 43 percent including 4-of-13 3-point tries for 31 percent and 25-of-34 free throws for 74 percent to go with 44 rebounds, 23 fouls, nine assists, 17 turnovers, eight steals and two blocked shots. The Colonials made 15-of-56 shots for 27 percent including just 2-of-11 from 3-point range for 18 percent and 22-of-30 free throws for 73 percent to go with 32 rebounds, 28 fouls, eight assists, 12 turnovers, two steals and two blocked shots.
“We’ve been on the other side of it. There were a couple games where shots weren’t going in,” Whitaker said. “It makes it hard because we always try to emphasize letting our defense dictate our offense. It’s just a natural thing. When the ball goes in the basket, it just feels better and it’s a lot more fun to watch, for the fans and for me. But just for confidence, I’m glad the girls got to see some go through the basket. I know we’ve had some offensive struggles. Even in the second half, we had some lulls and some struggles that we need to clean up. You have to learn to play with a lead. The really great teams are able to push a 23-point lead to a 40-point lead and that’s where we’re trying to get. But I don’t want to sound ungrateful. I’m very happy for the win.”
Sophomore forward Phoenix Gedeon came into the game leading the Colonials with 13.7 points per game. Northern Kentucky held Gedeon to 12 points. Sophomore guard Simone Morris led Robert Morris with 14 points.
Northern Kentucky does not play again until Thursday at 7 p.m., against Eastern Kentucky (4-4). That will mark the fourth of seven straight home games for the Norse.