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KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The long bus ride back to Highland Heights, Ky., will probably seem considerably shorter to the members of the Northern Kentucky University women's basketball program after posting a 93-41 win over Rockhurst on Saturday. More than 10 hours away from home, NKU had no trouble dispatching Rockhurst to extend its winning streak to eight. NKU jumped out to a 45-17 halftime lead by holding Rockhurst to 7-for-28 shooting from the field. All 12 players scored for the Norse, who posted their largest margin of victory this season. "I thought our kids were very focused. We made some jump shots early and played a great first half," NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. "Our players did a nice job of passing the ball, and I really liked the way we were moving the ball. "Our defense was very good and aggressive as well, and our defense starts everything for us. It was a good week for us to go on the road, especially this far away, and get two wins. A lot of teams do not win twice on the road, so this was a very successful business trip." Brittany Winner scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds to lead NKU. Winner, a senior forward from Minster, Ohio, made a trio of 3-point field goals and shot 7-for-11 from the field as NKU improved to 15-5 overall, 9-4 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Cassie Brannen, a Mount Notre Dame High School graduate, added 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Angela Healy recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Highlands High School graduate also dished out four assists and collected two steals. "Cassie is playing very well for us, and Angela Healy has been outstanding all season," Winstel said. "I think Nicole Chiodi is doing a lot of things with her passing and rebounding, and she is starting to play like we know she can." Karyn Creager added nine points and two assists for the Norse, who held Rockhurst to 25.9 percent shooting from the field and finished with a 52-35 rebounding advantage. Chiodi and Katie Butler each finished with eight points, while teammates Karmen Graham and Karen Brackman netted six points apiece. NKU will attempt to snap Lewis’ 13-game winning streak Thursday at 5:30 p.m. when the GLVC East-leading Flyers visit Regents Hall. Earlier this season, Lewis defeated NKU at Romeoville, Ill. Lewis is ranked No. 7 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll and No. 1 in the Great Lakes Region poll. The Norse are ninth in the Great Lakes Region poll but figure to move up when the new rankings are released Wednesday.
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