With three seconds left in the fourth quarter and NKU leading 61–55, freshman Karin Bystry stepped to the free-throw line with a chance to put the game on ice.
After calmly sinking the first attempt, Bystry briefly stepped away before returning to the stripe and knocking down the second, sealing the win for the Norse and capping off her sixth 20-plus point performance of the season.
NKU women’s basketball hosted Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jan. 14, returning home after a long stretch of road games. Entering the matchup, the Norse had not lost since Dec. 21 and carried a five-game winning streak into the contest against a struggling Milwaukee squad.
Before the national anthem, fifth-year senior Mya Meredith was honored at half court for surpassing 1,000 career points. Meredith reached the milestone at home on Sunday, Jan. 4, against Robert Morris, scoring 13 points to etch her name into the NKU record books.
NKU wasted no time in the opening quarter, jumping out to a 5–0 run fueled by Meredith. Milwaukee responded to cut the deficit to 9–5 midway through the quarter, but the Norse answered with an 8–0 run to reestablish control.
The Norse’s physicality in the paint proved to be a major factor early, as they pulled down seven offensive rebounds and converted them into 12 points in the paint in the first quarter alone.
Meredith and senior Abby Wolterman set the tone with their physicality in the paint, each recording 10 rebounds and combining for nine offensive rebounds.
“That’s big. We’re not scoring, so those extra possessions give us good looks, but also gets us to the free throw line,” said head coach Jeff Hans. “So, now we can attack, go up strong, finish, try and get the and-one, or at least get to the free throw line so we can knock down two.”
NKU also dominated at the free-throw line, shooting 90% on 10 attempts, the result of crisp ball movement that opened driving lanes and forced Milwaukee into fouls.
That physical style carried into the second quarter, where NKU forced four Milwaukee turnovers, contributing to eight total in the first half.
Despite a lower-scoring quarter, the Norse continued to get to the line, shooting 71.4% on seven attempts. Bystry led the way, shooting 84.6% from the stripe, on 13 attempts.
NKU extended its lead by two in the second quarter and headed into halftime with a 37–25 advantage.
Out of the break, the Norse focused on maintaining control, but Milwaukee chipped away and cut the lead to seven at the four-minute mark of the third quarter. Bystry quickly halted the run with a fast-break and-one off a turnover, pushing the lead back into double digits.
Although Milwaukee cleaned up its turnover issues in the third quarter, committing just two, NKU’s early pressure paid dividends. The Norse totaled 16 points off turnovers, a key contributor to their lead.
NKU’s defense closed the quarter strong, holding Milwaukee to just nine points. A late 6–0 run, capped by a Bystry three-pointer, sent the Norse into the fourth quarter up 48–34.
Milwaukee opened the final frame with full-court pressure, slowing the pace and forcing turnovers. The Panthers also caught fire from deep, shooting 50% from three on six attempts to keep the game within reach.
At the three-minute mark, Milwaukee trimmed the lead to eight. A late Bystry bucket appeared to deliver the knockout blow, but Milwaukee’s Rita Gomes responded with a three-pointer and a tough driving layup on consecutive possessions to cut the deficit to five.
Clutch free throws from Wolterman, followed by back-to-back defensive stops, put the game firmly back in NKU’s control. Bystry then sealed the victory at the line, securing a 63–55 win and the Norse’s sixth consecutive victory.
During the streak, NKU has held opponents under 60 points four times, relying on its stout, physical defense to grind out wins.
The Norse hit the road Saturday, Jan. 17, to face Wright State, looking to extend their winning streak to seven games.