Nancy Winstel

MIDLAND, Mich. - It was only a matter of time before Northern Kentucky University’s Nancy Winstel earned her 500th coaching victory, but a road win on New Year’s Eve made the milestone even more special Friday as the Norse closed out 2004 in style.

NKU gave Winstel her 500th victory by posting a 57-51 win over Northwood (Mich.) in the Great Lakes Valley Conference/Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Classic. In 25 years as a college head coach at both Midway (Ky.) and NKU, Winstel owns a 500-199 record.

“To get it on the road is big, and I’m really happy for our players,” said Winstel, whose team improved to 5-7. “We have been struggling a bit, but our players stepped up and beat a pretty good team.

“I never thought too much about 500 wins, but we’ve had a lot of great players in our program over the years, and that’s what makes it special.”

Winstel is now 461-158 in 22 years at NKU. She also picked up 39 victories in three seasons as the head coach at Midway (Ky.).

Northwood (5-7) jumped out to a 6-2 lead early in the game, but NKU responded with an 18-0 run to take a 20-6 advantage. Connie Myers and Brittany Winner combined for 15 points and 11 rebounds in the first half as NKU settled for a 30-24 lead at the break.

“I told our players at halftime that Northwood had taken our best shot, and they would come out ready in the second half,” Winstel said.

Northwood, in fact, started the second half with a 13-2 run to take a 37-32 lead on Devon Hillstrom’s jumper. Myers countered with a pair of baskets for NKU, and Angela Healy later gave the Norse a 38-37 advantage with a short jumper.

NKU forged a 51-45 lead with 3:49 remaining on Winner’s jump shot, but Maureen Elliott drained a three-pointer at the 3:10 mark to bring Northwood within 51-48. Karmen Graham responded by scoring while being fouled, and she converted the free throw to give NKU a 54-48 lead with 2:43 left.

Winner iced the victory by making two free throws with nine seconds remaining. NKU converted 17 of its 29 free throws, while Northwood managed just 8-for-16 shooting at the charity stripe.

Myers led NKU with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Winner added 13 points and eight rebounds. NKU held Northwood to just 30.8 percent shooting from the field, and the Timberwolves did not make a field goal during the final 2:21 of the game.

“We decided to play tougher defense down the stretch, and we mixed in some full-court pressure, zone and man-to-man in this game,” Winstel said. “We needed this win, and it was a great effort by our kids. Connie Myers really played well, and she has been doing that all season.”

Elliott led Northwood with 19 points and nine rebounds. Payge Salquist added 11 points for the Timberwolves.

NKU will resume GLVC play next Thursday night with a road game at Missouri-St. Louis. The Norse are 3-3 in the GLVC.