As the final buzzer sounded, Noa Givon and her teammates jumped for joy as Robert Morris (RMU) clinched a spot in Indianapolis for their first semifinals game since joining the Horizon League in 2020. Robert Morris defeated NKU 70-57 on Thursday at home, ending the Norse’s season with an overall record of 11-21.
A big reason for fourth-seeded RMU’s success was Givon. In the first two matchups with the Norse, RMU’s leading scorer had only eight combined points. On Thursday night, she had a game-high 23 points.
The Colonials led by six coming into the second half after a competitive first half with six lead changes and one tie. A big factor in those numbers was the inability from both teams to convert on turnovers. There were 14 combined turnovers in the opening half, but the Horizon League foes only combined for two fast-break points.
NKU got a great effort from their starters, who were one point away from all scoring in double digits. Halle Idowu led all Norse scorers with 15 points, including three timely triples after having 10 total coming into the game. Idowu also added post scores which helped NKU rack up 30 paint points on the night.
Robert Morris was able to keep it from being similarly competitive in the second half, never relinquishing the lead. The lead even ballooned to 16 at one point.
RMU’s breathing room was partly due to NKU’s shooting woes. The team that was second in the Horizon League in three-point makes per game went ice cold from range, finishing 4-18 from deep. The Norse also struggled from the charity stripe, as they ended the game 9-19 from the free-throw line. The biggest struggles came in the third quarter where they shot 4-10 from the foul line.
Robert Morris was aggressive, forcing NKU into foul trouble. Two starters for Northern Kentucky had four fouls, and Macey Blevins fouled out of her last game in the black and gold.
While RMU’s defense was impressive, their offense may have been even more accomplished. They made it to the line to the tune of 23 free-throw attempts. The Colonials made 17 to keep up with their averages. Even when NKU did their best, namely in paint points, RMU matched it with 30 of their own to keep NKU from getting a statistical advantage in any category.
RMU will look ahead to Indianapolis as they continue the best season they’ve had so far in their short Horizon League history. For NKU, they will build off the results of their first year under new Head Coach Jeff Hans. The Norse will retool their team with new freshman and transfer portal recruits, but will replace five graduating seniors and continue to work to build on something special.