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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The defending NCAA Division II national champions from Northern Kentucky University continue to stockpile talent for next season, and the latest addition for the Norse women’s basketball team is Morehead State University transfer Brandi Rayburn. A 2006 graduate of West Carter High School, Rayburn played two seasons at Morehead State. The 6-foot forward saw action in 29 games for the Eagles last season and averaged 7.6 points per contest. She also knocked down 40 shots from 3-point range and made 84 percent of her free-throw attempts. Rayburn led Morehead State in scoring four times and collected two double-doubles last season. Her top performance was a 21-point, 12-reboound effort against Eastern Kentucky. Rayburn also scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Tennessee Tech. “Brandi knows how to score, and she can really shoot the 3-pointer,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “We may need her to play inside as well next season, but she is a talented scorer. After getting a lot of minutes the past two years at Morehead State, she also brings experience, and we’re excited about having Brandi join our program.” As a freshman, Rayburn averaged 6.3 ppg and scored in double figures five times for Morehead State. She also connected on 85 percent of her free throws. A native of Olive Hill, Ky., Rayburn scored 1,888 career points and grabbed 1,001 rebounds at West Carter. She averaged 18.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a senior en route to earning 16th Region Player of the Year honor. Rayburn also was named the most valuable player of the Kentucky-Ohio all-star game after her senior season. She lettered four times in basketball at West Carter. Rayburn is the fifth newcomer Winstel has added for next season, joining incoming freshmen Sadie Bowling, Stephanie Hodges, Whitney Levering and Casse Mogan. NKU welcomes back three starters from its NCAA Division II national championship team. The Norse finished 28-8 this past season en route to capturing their second national championship. NKU also won the 2000 NCAA Division II national title. |
