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By Tom Ramstetter, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Regents Hall era ended Saturday night with a classic comeback victory for the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team in a battle for first place with Indianapolis. Danyelle Echoles buried a 3-pointer with 4:15 remaining to give the Norse their first lead of the second half, and NKU held on to beat Great Lakes Valley Conference rival Indianapolis, 68-60, in the final regular-season women’s game in Regents Hall. Echoles’ trey from the wing put the Norse up 60-57 and NKU made all eight of their free throws in the final 2:55 to preserve the lead. “I got the ball, and I was like, ‘I’m going to shoot, I’m going to shoot,’” Echoles said. “It felt good, and I just let it go.” The junior guard from Colerain High School found the bottom of the net with the 3-pointer, and NKU survived a 28-minute delay caused by an electrical problem that affected the scoreboard and shot clock. The Norse improved to 18-5 overall, 11-4 in the GLVC, and took a one-game lead on Indianapolis in the East Division. The Greyhounds fell to 18-5, 10-5. NKU swept the season series from Indianapolis. Before Echoles’ big shot, Jessie Slack made a 3-pointer from the wing one possession earlier to tie the game at 57-all. Echoles and Slack each later hit two free throws, while Angela Healy converted four free throws down the stretch. Senior Nicole Chiodi grabbed a rebound as the final buzzer sounded and offered a fist-pump to signal the victory on Senior Night. “I wanted it so bad the whole time,” said Chiodi, a Newport Central Catholic High School graduate. “I was just trying to get people fired up. I don’t think they really expected that out of me, but it was a great win.” Healy, however, did expect the show of emotion. “We’ve lived together for four years, so I’ve seen her emotions,” Healy said. “Maybe I rubbed off on her.” Chiodi and Healy were honored for their four years both before and after the game. “It’s been amazing,” Chiodi added about her career. “It’s been a great time and I loved every minute of it. It was a lot of hard work, and I’m not going to lie. It was great. It’s not over yet, so we’re still really excited.” Healy agreed with Chiodi.
“It’s emotional,” said Healy, who joined NKU’s 1,000-point club this season. “I’m an emotional person. It’s fun. I don’t have any regrets about my career. All good things have to come to an end, I guess.” Slack, who had beaten Indianapolis earlier in the year with a last-second 3-pointer on the road, led NKU with 19 points. Chiodi added 16, and Echoles scored 12. Healy scored eight points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while playing the final minutes of the game with four fouls. “Coach (Nancy Winstel) was like, ‘Please just stay in the game,’” Healy said. “My teammates did an excellent job without me on the floor. I wanted to stay in and finish my last game.” Healy and Rachel Lantry dished out three assists apiece. NKU trailed by as many as 10 points, 37-27, less than two minutes into the second half. “We have too much heart,” Echoles said. “If we play like we are capable of playing, and we play hard, that will bring us a win.” The Norse trailed 29-23 at halftime despite shooting 45.8 percent from the field. Indianapolis shot only 34.5 percent in the first half, but outrebounded the Norse 20-14. For the game, NKU shot 47.9 percent from the field for game and the Greyhounds shot 39.2 percent. NKU will play its final four regular-season games on the road, starting with a visit to Bellarmine this Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. in Louisville, Ky. The Norse cruised past the Knights, 72-59, Feb. 9 at home. “We have a big game on Tuesday against Bellarmine,” Chiodi said. “It’s their Senior Night, so it will be the same competition, same close game. They’re going to be ready for us, but we’re going to be ready for them, too.” NKU could host a GLVC Tournament game on March 4 if the Norse finish first or second in the GLVC East, prolonging the use of Regents Hall for basketball. Beyond that, however, it’s the brand new Bank of Kentucky Center next season. “It’s sad to leave Regents,” Echoles said, “but it’s exciting to be the first team in the Bank of Kentucky Center.”
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