‘Hounds fall to NKU for fifth straight
By Micah McVicker | Staff Writer
The University of Indianapolis women’s basketball team (19-7, 8-6 GLVC) earned a spot in the USA Today/ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll earlier this season after compiling a 16-2 record to begin the season. The Greyhounds have struggled of late, losing two consecutive games to Northern Kentucky University’s Bank on Feb. 7 and to Lewis University on Feb. 12.
Facing Lewis for the second time this season, the Greyhounds were defeated 71-53 in Romeoville, Ill. Despite the loss, sophomore Samantha Meissel was the top scorer of the night with 18 points, and went two-for-three in three-pointers.
The Norse of Northern Kentucky picked up a 64-56 victory against the ‘Hounds, a game in which they never trailed. Northern Kentucky scored 22 points off of 15 first-half Greyhound turnovers. The Norse scored the first nine points of the contest and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the half en route to a 38-21 halftime lead. The Greyhounds pulled within seven points, on an 18-8 run over the first eight minutes of the second half. The Norse responded, expanding their lead to 14.
UIndy has not won against Northern Kentucky in head coach LeAnn Freeland’s two seasons at the helm of the program.
“Since I took over, we are 0-4 versus them [NKU],” Freeland said.
Now the teams stands at 0-5 against NKU. Despite the loss to NKU, senior guard Isabel Rhenwrick said she is optimistic about the postseason for this year’s team.
“[I have never won] against them [NKU] in my four years here,” Rhenwrick said. “But it is regional rankings that determines our seed.”
The ‘Hounds currently sit in seventh place in the Midwest region with a 12-6 in-region record. Despite being bumped out of the Coaches’ Polls after two consecutive losses to Quincy University on Jan. 22 and Lewis University on Jan. 24, the ‘Hounds continued to receive three votes from the latest poll released Feb. 10.
In addition to the national recognition gained by earning a spot in the rankings, the UIndy women’s basketball program earned another honor. Due to her contributions to two Greyhound wins on Jan. 29 and Jan. 31, Meissel earned the GLVC woman’s basketball Player of the Week. Coach Freeland said Meissel’s value to the team is immense.
“Samantha means a lot. She has become a great leader as a sophomore,” Freeland said. “She has become a post player with [the] ability to shoot from the perimeter. The attention she draws on the post provides better looks for the rest of the team.”
The ‘Hounds play at home on Feb. 19, hosting University of Kentucky Wesleyan at 5:30 p.m.
