Connie Myers scores against KWC

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Connie Myers scored 22 points and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds Saturday to lead Northern Kentucky University to an 83-65 win over Kentucky Wesleyan in Regents Hall.

Karyn Creager added a career-high 24 points for NKU, which shot 53.3 percent from the field. Creager also set an NKU record by extending her streak of consecutive made free throws to 21.

Creager broke the previous Norse record of 20 straight free throws, which was shared jointly by Lori McClellan and Shannon Smith. Creager also made four three-point shots against the Kentucky Wesleyan zone defense.

“We’re supposed to work within our offense,” Creager said. “Our main goal if they play the zone is just to attack the gap and to pass the ball around the perimeter until you can get a good inside shot by getting it to Connie. But the main thing is just attacking the gap and kicking it out.”

Sarah Woods finished with 13 points for NKU, which improved to 13-9 overall, 10-5 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Norse also remained perfect (21-0) against Kentucky Wesleyan in games played in Regents Hall.

Creager scored nine points and blocked two shots in the first half as NKU jumped out to a 36-22 lead. Woods added eight points before halftime for the Norse, who held Kentucky Wesleyan to 27.6 percent shooting from the field during the opening 20 minutes.

Creager and Woods combined for seven three-pointers against the zone defense, and those long-range shots opened up the inside for Myers.

“It was a defining moment in the game when they went to the zone and we answered,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “We haven’t always done that, but the first time they went it, we hit a three.

Karyn Creager hits a three-pointer for NKU

“When that happened, they had to go out and guard it. When they did that, look who’s on the inside one-on-one. And one-on-one, Connie is a handful.”

Myers grabbed 12 rebounds in the first half, while Angela Healy scored six points in the opening 20 minutes. NKU used a 21-7 run midway through the first half to build a 27-15 lead and coasted to the victory.

In their first meeting this season, Kentucky Wesleyan defeated NKU, 63-48, at Owensboro, Ky. The Norse certainly remembered that loss going into Saturday’s rematch, and they parlayed the one-two punch of Myers and Creager into a victory.

“I didn’t think Connie was herself on Thursday. Southern Indiana did a pretty good job of stopping her,” Winstel said. “But tonight, Connie, like a true warrior, bounced back and played well. We need her to do that. And we’re hitting key shots on the perimeter as well.”

Brittany Winner added eight points for NKU, while Elizabeth Burrows finished with six points, six assists and four rebounds.

NKU will play host to Indianapolis next Saturday (Feb. 12) at 5:30 p.m. in Regents Hall.