Despite a fast start making five three pointers in the opening minutes of the game the USI women fell to Northern Kentucky, 73-63.

Kristin Raker made quick three shots from beyond the arc to spark a flurry of shooting by the USI women. The eagles made eight of their first shots, five of which were three pointers.

The eagles struggled to out grab Northern Kentucky on the boards. They were out rebounded the first and second half of the game.

“Getting boards is extremely important, “said Coach Rick Stein, “we’ve only been out rebounded twice this year and both times we lost.”

With the loss tonight Eagles move to 16-10 overall and 12-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. On Thursday, with a win against Bellarmine, a Eastern Division Championship was secured by the lady eagles, a first for many of the seniors including Ellen Young and Amie Newhart.

“This season didn’t start how we wanted,” said Young, “it ended great though.” Newhart echoed her teammate’s remarks on Thursday night, “I’ve never won a championship, and this is a great feeling.”

Not only did the lady eagles nab the eastern championship but they secured home court advantage for the opening round of the GLVC.

“This is huge for us,” said Young, “we get the chance to come back here on our court and win again in our house.”

Northern Kentucky went on a 12-0 to start the second half. This coupled with a 21-7 run over the last six minutes of the game lifted the Norse, 17-9 overall and 11-7 in the GLVC, over the Eagles.

“We’ve got to guard better,” said Stein, “we need to grab those rebounds but I do have to give Northern Kentucky credit, they played great.”

The USI women open up the GLVC conference next Saturday at the physical activities