---Angela Healy attempts a jumper against Grand Valley State last season. Healy, a senior post player, is one of three returning starters for NKU in 2007-08. The Norse begin the regular season Nov. 15 against Brescia.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team begins its 2007-08 regular-season schedule Nov. 15 with a non-conference home game against in-state opponent Brescia.

NKU, which posted a 21-8 record last season, travels to Erie, Pa., on Nov. 20 to meet Mercyhurst (6-21 in 2006-07) for its first road game of the campaign. Mercyhurst is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said her team, which must replace five seniors, should be tested early by the difficult schedule.

“We have a young team, and we are going to learn something about our girls very early in the season,” Winstel said. “Brescia (20-14 last season) is a very good NAIA team, and right after that we have to go on the road to play at Mercyhurst, and that’s a big regional game for us. We’re still working on our exhibition schedule, and who knows what that will bring. It’s going to be a tough early-season schedule, though.”

The Norse open their Great Lakes Valley Conference schedule Nov. 29 at Quincy. Two days later, NKU finishes the road trip with a game against Southern Illinois at Edwardsville. SIUE, which is reclassifying to NCAA Division I status, is competing in the GLVC for the final time this season.

“We have two really tough games at Quincy and Edwardsville to open our conference schedule,” Winstel said. “Quincy has a new head coach, but they have some really good players, and Edwardsville has almost everyone back from a team that beat us on our home floor last season. That’s a difficult way to start the season, and it is especially tough when you consider our youth in several positions.”

NKU returns home Dec. 5 to meet NAIA powerhouse Georgetown (Ky.) in Regents Hall. Ohio Dominican visits NKU for a game Dec. 8 in another non-conference battle.

NKU will play host to the Travel America Classic Dec. 17-18. The Norse meet Fayetteville (N.C.) State at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. NKU concludes the two-day event Dec. 18 against St. Andrew’s (N.C.). Two days later, NKU travels to Detroit, Mich., to meet Wayne State of the GLIAC.

Winstel takes her team to Allendale, Mich., on Dec. 29 to meet GLIAC powerhouse Grand Valley State. The Lakers won the NCAA Division II national championship two years ago.

“Our non-conference schedule is very demanding, and those games against the GLIAC teams are critical for us as far as regional rankings,” Winstel said.

---Cassie Brannen powers her way to the basket against Ferris State during last season's NCAA Tournament at Romeoville, Ill.

NKU plays host to defending Great Lakes Region champion Drury on Jan. 5 in Regents Hall. Last season, NKU split two games with Drury.

Southern Indiana visits Regents Hall on Jan. 17 for a GLVC showdown. Two days later, Kentucky Wesleyan arrives in Highland Heights to meet NKU.

On Feb. 16 at 4:30 p.m., NKU will play its final regular-season game in Regents Hall when Indianapolis visits Highland Heights. The Norse will move into their new on-campus home, The Bank of Kentucky Center, beginning in 2008-09.

NKU closes out the season with four consecutive road games, beginning with a Feb. 19 GLVC East showdown at Bellarmine. The Norse also visit Kentucky Wesleyan (Feb. 21), Wisconsin-Parkside (Feb. 28) and Lewis (March 1) to end the season.

The GLVC Tournament will again be held at Evansville, Ind., in Roberts Stadium March 6-9.

NKU will return three starters - post players Angela Healy and Cassie Brannen, along with guard Nicole Chiodi - in 2007-08. Healy averaged 11.3 points per game last season and led NKU in rebounding at 6.9 rpg. Brannen averaged 9.0 ppg and blocked a school-record 71 shots last season. She also led the GLVC in field-goal percentage at .589. Chiodi dished out a team-leading 98 assists and averaged 6.9 ppg.

The Norse have added four newcomers, including East Carolina transfer Jessie Slack.

Among the seniors NKU must replace are double-figure scorers Brittany Winner (11.3 points per game) and Karyn Creager (10.0 ppg). Winner earned All-GLVC and All-Great Lakes Region honors last season, while Creager finished her NKU career with 1,035 points. NKU must also replace Karmen Graham, Katie Butler and Betsey Clark from last season’s NCAA Division II Tournament squad.

CLICK HERE FOR 2007-08 SCHEDULE