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KENOSHA, Wis. - The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team jumped out to a 26-4 lead Thursday night and cruised to a 69-54 victory at Wisconsin-Parkside in DeSimone Gymnasium. Jessie Slack scored 16 points to lead NKU, which improved to 19-7 overall, 12-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Cassie Brannen added 12 points as the Norse won in DeSimone Gymnasium for the first time since Dec. 6, 2003. Wisconsin-Parkside missed 18 consecutive shots in the first half as NKU built a 26-4 lead with 4:47 remaining before the break. The Rangers - who took a 3-0 lead when Amanda Gibson made a 3-pointer less than two minutes into the game - went the next 14 minutes without a field goal as NKU rolled to the road victory. "Our defense did a great job on them in the first half, and I knew going in we were ready to play," NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. "I wasn't sure if we were ready to win, but I knew the girls were looking forward to playing. We tweaked some things defensively, and it caused Parkside some problems in the first half." NKU held Wisconsin-Parkside to 34 percent shooting from the field. The Norse made 50 percent of their shots from the field and improved to 23-5 all-time against the Rangers. Wisconsin-Parkside (16-10, 10-8 GLVC) employed a 2-3 zone defense much of the game, but NKU responded by going 9-for-19 from 3-point range. Slack drained four treys, while Danyelle Echoles and Rachel Lantry each made two 3-pointers. Echoles finished with 10 points for the Norse. "Our bench did a great job, and our inside-outside attack was very effective," Winstel said. "Jessie Slack knocked down some really long shots, and she is such a talented player." The Norse held Wisconsin-Parkside’s Kayla Ming - who entered the game averaging 18.4 points - to just four on 1-for-9 shooting from the field. Ming also finished 0-for-5 from 3-point range. "Danyelle Echoles did a great job guarding Ming most of the game," Winstel said. "Danyelle isn't the tallest player, but she is very strong and physical. She really caused problems for Ming, who is a great shooter." Nicole Chiodi added seven points, seven assists and five rebounds for NKU. Angela Healy finished with eight points and six rebounds. NKU concludes the regular season Saturday with a road game against Lewis. The Norse, who can clinch the GLVC East Division title and No. 1 seed with a win at Lewis, begin play in the GLVC Tournament on Tuesday. If NKU defeats Lewis, it will host a first-round game Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. |
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