The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team (16-12) knew it could either finish fifth earning a bye into the Horizon League quarterfinals or play host to a first-round game as the sixth seed entering the final two games of the regular season.
The Norse took a big step toward that fifth seed with a convincing 65-46 victory over the Detroit Mercy Titans (5-23) Thursday night at Truist Arena. Northern Kentucky took sole possession of fifth place at 10-9 and Detroit dropped to 3-16 under the guidance of first-year head coach Kate Achter.
“It feels good to be home and be back on the winning track,” said Camryn Whitaker, Northern Kentucky head coach. “That was a tough stretch the last couple weekends for us having to play the toughest teams in our league on the road and being so close in all three of our losses. The shots didn’t all fall. But I thought we defended well. Detroit is a much-improved team that has beaten IUPUI and had some big wins as of late. I thought we did a really nice job of handling them and playing our game.”
Four Norse scored in double figures. Senior guard Ivy Turner led the way scoring 16 points to go with three steals and three rebounds. Sophomore guard Khamari Mitchell-Steen had 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
“I saw a whole bunch of openings whenever I would drive in or I would wait for the ball to get swung around a couple times then I would see an opening,” Mitchell-Steen said. “I tried my best to get into the hole and try to dish it off to a teammate.”
Graduate student guard Lindsey Duvall and sophomore guard Kailee Davis scored 10 points each for Northern Kentucky. Duvall added 10 rebounds for a double-double and two steals with Davis adding five rebounds and two assists.
Northern Kentucky hit 21-of-32 free throws to go with 43 rebounds, 14 fouls, seven assists, 11 turnovers, four blocked shots and eight steals. Graduate student forward/center Emmy Souder also had 10 rebounds. The Norse hurt the Titans in transition outscoring them 14-1.
“When we shoot a lot of free throws, that kind of gets us going as a team,” Turner said. “We’re obviously attacking and drawing fouls.”
Detroit Mercy made just 9-of-16 free throws to go with 38 rebounds, 22 fouls, eight assists, 14 turnovers, three blocked shots and four steals. Irene Murua led Detroit with 11 points.
Northern Kentucky takes on Oakland (12-16) on Saturday at 2 p.m. to conclude the regular season at Truist Arena.