In women’s basketball action Feb. 14, NKU’s women’s basketball team defeated Lewis 68-65.

The win improves the Lady Norse’s record to 15-7 and 10-6 in GLVC play.

Jessica Brock led the team scoring 20 points. Karmen Graham pitched in scoring 11 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

“I thought we played the best 20 minutes of basketball all season in the first half, and in the second half we really turned the heat up” said head coach Nancy Winstel.

“We really had different players step up throughout the game.”

Lewis cut the lead to 58-52 late in the second half but Jessica Brock hit a three pointer to extend the lead to 62-352 and helping the Norse secure the win.

The game also served as Senior Night for the three seniors on the team: Jessica Brock, Emily Phillips, and Mandy Sterling.

“We really wanted to win this game because of Senior Night, and you always want to win the game for the seniors who are playing their last home game,” Winstel said.

The Norse had a total of 50 rebounds to the Flyers 26.

“We were able to get a good home win after a couple of bad road losses last week,” Winstel said.

“Hopefully this will give us some momentum heading into our last four games and our conference tournament”.

In the men’s game, the Norse beat Lewis in triple overtime 93-90 in what was Coach Ken Shields’ final home game after 16 years at the helm of Norse basketball.

“This was just a great win for our team today” Shields said. “This win gives us a lot of life heading into the final games and our conference tournament”.

Jesse Rupe led the Norse with 25 points. Steve Purdon had 23 points, and Pat Cary contributed a double-double with 23 points and 18 rebounds.

“In the first half I thought Steve Purdon and Sean Rowland [who had 10 assists to only 3 turnovers] really played big for us”, Shields said. “Then in the end of the second half I thought Adam Howell, Jesse Rupe, and Pat Cary played really well.”

The win over Lewis improved the Norse’s record to 15-11 overall and 8-8 in GLVC play.

The Lewis Flyers, who came into the game ranked 11th in the nation and 1st in both the conference and the Great Lakes Valley region, dropped to 19-4 overall and 13-3 in conference play.

“With us getting this big win, hopefully it will serve as a confidence builder going into the last four road games of our season and the conference tournament,” Shields said.