Truist Arena was the site for the kickoff of the 2024-2025 NKU women’s basketball season on Wednesday. The Norse had an exhibition game against the Mount Saint Joseph Lions. It was the first game for Jeff Hans as head coach of the Norse and it could not have started more ideally.
The IU Indy transfers Jaci Jones and Abby Wolterman opened up the scoring with the first and second baskets of the night, respectively. The freshman from Canada, Kamora Morgan, knocked down a jumper in the first quarter to give the Norse a 24-12 lead. NKU excelled at their diversity in scoring with six different players scoring in the first seven minutes of the game.
Karlee Mills had six of the Lions’ 12 first quarter points. NKU was impressive defensively as well, forcing seven turnovers in the quarter.
The second quarter was even to start with Abby Wolterman scoring on free throws and a jumper for the Norse and freshman Anna Hamilton getting her first points of her NKU career on a euro-step in the lane. The Lions’ first half leading scorer, Karlee Mills would answer with a few makes of her own. The Norse would then find their groove and go on a 10-0 run to end the half and go into the locker room with a 42-20 lead.
NKU shot well at nearly 50 percent and their defense was stifling, as they forced eight steals in the first half. MSJ shot 27 percent and had 14 turnovers by halftime.
The turnover bug would find the Norse in the second half, as a sloppy third quarter saw NKU have more turnovers than points in the first seven minutes. This allowed the Lions to go on a 9-4 run in the quarter while NKU shot 1-8. The Norse would gain some momentum towards the end of the quarter to take a 56-35 lead into the final period.
Jeff Hans was able to show off the depth of his team in the fourth quarter as Noelle Hubert and Kalissa Lacy were both able to get hot, knocking down three pointers that put a bow on an impressive 75-47 win. Ten players scored for the Norse in this game.
MSJ got big performances from Karlee Mills and Maddison Drummonds who combined for 28 of the Lions’ 47 points. NKU was led by Abby Wolterman and Kalissa Lacy who both contributed 14 points.
The Norse were able to knock down their free throws, shooting 86 percent from the line and showed off a suffocating defense that racked up 16 steals.
The Norse start their regular season on Monday. Nov. 4 against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders who are coming off an impressive season that included an NCAA tournament appearance. The game will tip off at 6 p.m. at Truist Arena.