Northern Kentucky University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Nancy Winstel added another milestone to her illustrious career gaining her 600th career win Jan. 10.

For Winstel, the achievement is just an accomplishment that is more for her players than herself.

‘Like I have said (before), I haven’t made a shot, guarded anybody in years,’ Winstel said. ‘I think it is great for the program and it is exciting to be involved in that many games and have that many wins, but I think if a coach feels they have won that many games, they’re crazy.’

Winstel began her career at NKU as one of the first women to play basketball for the Norse (1974-1977). She went on to graduate school at Indiana University in Bloomington, before beginning her coaching career at Midway (Ky.) College.

In her tenure at Midway, Winstel compiled 39 wins as head coach of its women’s program before coming back to NKU in 1981 as an assistant coach. She took over as head coach in 1983.

‘I sometimes go back to my Midway mentality, because I was there for three years and when I think about it, it was probably three of the best years of my life because all I did was eat, drink, and sleep basketball,’ she told NKU Sports Information.

Winstel is in her 26th season as head coach of the Norse, compiling a 561-184 record at the helm.

The Norse (13-0, 5-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference) defeated the Missouri-St. Louis Tritons 75-31 in front of more than 700 fans at the Bank of Kentucky Center (BOKC).

The Norse had a one point lead with 9:24 remaining in the first half, but went on a 21-9 run to finish the half up 38-21.

‘The first seven minutes, we were a little slow going defensively and offensively,’ Winstel said. ‘Once the second half came, we wanted to set the tone and not take seven minutes to get ready.’

The Norse allowed only 10 points to the Tritons in the second half, outscoring them 37-10.

Senior guard Karen Brackman went on a shooting spree early in the second half, nailing three three-pointers in the first four minutes of the half to propel the Norse to the win.

‘It was time for me to shoot,’ Brackman said. ‘I wasn’t really shooting a lot in the first half and we were struggling offensively at that point, so I took my shot when I was open and nailed it.’

Brackman was excited to give Winstel her 600th win.

‘It’s great,’ Brackman said. ‘She doesn’t make a big deal about it, but 600 is a really good accomplishment and the team is happy to be a part of it.’

Winstel was happy with the performance of Brackman in the game.

‘This young lady has worked very hard and I am very happy for her ,’ Winstel said.

The Norse will head to Missouri for a two-game conference against Rockhurst (8-8, 2-4 in the GLVC) at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 15. The Norse defeated the Hawks 61-39 last season at Regents Hall.

The women then head to Springfield, Mo. to take on 2008 GLVC Tournament champion Drury (10-5, 4-1 in the GLVC) at 3:15 p.m. Jan. 17.

NKU returns home Jan. 22 to face Missouri-S&T at the BOKC. Tipoff is at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are free for NKU students who show their All-Card at the box office.’

Click here for stats on the Winstel’s 600th win against UMSL.