The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team may not have earned the desired result, but the Norse showed a lot of promise in a 85-82 overtime loss to Indiana State in the season opener at Truist Arena.
“I thought that we played hard. We were facing a ton of adversity right now,” said Camryn Whitaker-Volz, Northern Kentucky head coach. “But there are no excuses at the end of the day. We’ve got to continue to grow and learn. We have eight new players. To teach them all of the new things is a big learning curve. This team is going to be fine. I’m not worried at all.”
Two key returning players from last year in Kennedy Igo and Khamari Mitchell-Steen led the Norse with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Mitchell-Steen consistently made things happen attacking the basket, making 10-of-13 free throws and Igo was nearly perfect shooting the ball, making 7-of-8 shots, including all four 3-pointers to go with four assists. Mitchell-Steen added seven rebounds and Blevins had five assists.
“This year, our offense is new. I’m just trying to get people open and get their shots,” Igo said. “Getting their shots is going to get me more shots. I’m just trying to help the team as best I can.”
Northern Kentucky junior guard Kailee Davis started, but she came out in the first half as the result of an apparent ankle injury and didn’t return. Davis is the team’s leading returning scorer at 13.3 points per game last year.
Three new Norse players had impressive debuts. Junior guard Macey Blevins made five shots on her way to 14 points and freshman Carter McCray had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Kalissa Lacy added 10 points.
“I think we have a lot of potential,” Blevins said. “Obviously, we have a lot of new people who have never played together. But I’m excited about this season.”
Free throws and rebounds cost the Norse the win. Indiana State outrebounded Northern Kentucky, 41-29 including a 14-7 edge on the offensive glass and hit 22-of-28 free throws. The Norse missed 12 free throws, hitting 20-of-32.
The Sycamores put three players in double figures. Sophomore guard Bella Finnegan led the way with 25 points and junior guard Kiley Bess scored 22 with Chelsea Cain adding 14 points and seven rebounds. Forward Mya Glanton scored nine points to go with a team-high nine rebounds.
Indiana State led 35-30 at halftime and 57-56 entering the fourth quarter. The Norse built a five-point lead when Allison Basye hit a jumper and ensuing free throw, then McCray made two free throws to put the Norse up 66-61 with 5:07 left in the game.
“Carter played even more minutes that we anticipated that she would with some things we have going on the team right now,” Volz said. “That’s kind of where we are. That’s what she needs to do. We’ve had some really good post players since I’ve been the coach here. Carter’s pretty polished for a freshman. She has some growing to do. But fortunately for her, she gets to learn through playing, which I think is the best way. You can practice, practice, practice. She is definitely a huge asset for our team.”
The Sycamores ultimately tied the game at 71. But Lacy made a triple with 1:21 left in the game to put NKU up 74-71. Northern Kentucky had the chance to go up four with 23.9 seconds left, but could not knock down free throws. The Sycamores converted at the other end with 12.6 seconds remaining.
Northern Kentucky had a look close to the basket at the other end, but the Norse couldn’t convert despite contact on the play sending the game to overtime tied at 75.
Mitchell-Steen gave the Norse a 76-75 lead making a free throw 18 seconds into the overtime session. But Finnegan scored in the post on the other end to put Indiana State up for good at 77-76 with 3:40 left in overtime.
The Norse had the chance to tie the game with 11.8 seconds left when Basye grabbed an offensive rebound and put it in for a potential three-point play, but missed the free throw and the ball went out of bounds off Northern Kentucky. Finnegan hit two free throws at the other end and Northern Kentucky did not get a shot off to tie it.
Northern Kentucky shot better from the field making 27-of-56 shots, including 8-of-20 from three-point range. Indiana State made 30-of-66 shots and 3-of-17 from three-point range.
Northern Kentucky travels to Eastern Kentucky on Saturday for a 2 p.m. game.
