Northern Kentucky slips by Lewis women's hoops, 63-61

Story Image

All tied up: NKU led the first half but seven consecutive points by sophomore Alexus Grayer (shown here) helped the Flyers tie it at 27 at half. | Photo by Steve Woltmann

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - The closer the score, the tougher the loss. Lewis women's basketball experienced that first hand on Thursday (Feb. 2) evening at Neil Carey Arena against Northern Kentucky. The Flyers dropped the Great Lakes Valley Conference contest 63-61. Lewis had two shots in the final six seconds that didn't fall.

See all Lewis women's basketball news.

The Flyers jumped out to a quick 12-7 before the Norse took their first lead of the game at 17-16. NKU led by as many as four in the first but seven consecutive points by sophomore Alexus Grayer (Washington, Ill./Washington) helped the Flyers tie it at 27 at half.

NKU found more success breaking Lewis' zone defense in the paint in the second half, taking a lead as large as 11 points. NKU scored 20 of their 36 second half points in the paint.

Similar to Saturday when Lewis cut a 15-point deficit to one point at Saint Joseph's, Lewis would get within one point of NKU at 52-51 on a Grayer jumper with 5:16 remaining. The Norse responded with seven straight points before a 3-pointer by senior Madeline Kish (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg/Eastern Illinois) at 2:39.

Grayer drove hard to the basket for a basket with 1:04 remaining to make the score 61-58 in favor of the Norse. NKU scored on the other end before freshman Jamie Johnson (South Holland, Ill./Marian Catholic) drained a 3-pointer to make it 63-61 with 23 seconds on the clock. NKU missed the front end of a one-and-one, setting up a chance for Lewis with 19 seconds. Lewis called for time and set up a shot for Grayer at the top of the arc which could have won the game. It missed and Kish grabbed the rebound. However Kish's second chance attempt didn't find the bottom of the net.

"I think they're growing up in front of our eyes as far as understanding game situations," Lewis head coach Lisa Carlsen said. "The fact we put ourselves in position to have the last shot and beat a team like NKU means we're moving in the right direction."

Grayer finished with a game-high 17 points and five rebounds.

"Alexus was aggressive on the offensive boards and was confident when she shot," Carlsen said. "I like to see her get to the basket and we saw her do that a couple times today."

Kish added 11 points thanks to three treys while Johnson also added 11 points.

Lewis held a 36-29 advantage on the glass, including a 12-7 edge on the offensive end.

"I don't know if there has been a game since I've been at Lewis that we've out rebounded NKU," Carlsen said. "I think that shows some guts and that we were willing to work hard tonight."

The Flyers fall to 4-16 (2-10 GLVC). NKU improves to 16-4 (9-3 GLVC). Lewis hosts Bellarmine on Saturday in a 4:30 p.m. start.

For the full box score of the game, click here.

Comments  Click here to view or make a comment