Preview: Northern Kentucky at IU Indy in Horizon League Women’s Basketball

INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — A surging Northern Kentucky women’s basketball team will look to extend its winning streak when it visits IU Indy in a Horizon League matchup Wednesday night at Fairgrounds Coliseum.

The Norse (10-11, 6-2 Horizon) have won seven consecutive games, the latest an 82-56 road rout of Wright State on Saturday. That run includes a 63-44 home victory over these same Jaguars on Jan. 2.

IU Indy (7-11, 3-4), meanwhile, seeks to build momentum after snapping a two-game skid with a 61-52 win at Youngstown State on Saturday. The Jaguars will be motivated to avenge their earlier loss to Northern Kentucky and improve their standing in the conference.

A key matchup will feature Northern Kentucky guard Taysha Rushton against IU Indy’s Olivia Smith. Rushton has been instrumental during the Norse streak, averaging 12.9 points per game in that span. She scored 17 points and dished six assists in the win over Wright State. In the Jan. 2 meeting, Rushton had 7 points and 3 assists.

Smith leads the Jaguars’ attack, coming off a 16-point, 6-rebound performance against Youngstown State. She was held to 6 points in the first game against Northern Kentucky’s defense.

Northern Kentucky’s turnaround has been fueled by consistent scoring, exceeding 80 points in three of its last seven wins. IU Indy has struggled offensively at times, scoring 70 or more just twice in its last 10 games.

The Jaguars will need a stronger defensive effort after allowing the Norse to shoot 44.6% from the field in the first meeting. Protecting home court is critical for IU Indy, which is 5-4 at Fairgrounds Coliseum this season.

Wednesday’s contest is the only scheduled meeting in Indianapolis this season between the two programs. Following this game, Northern Kentucky hosts Fort Wayne on Saturday. IU Indy travels to face Oakland next Wednesday.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST.