Yeah, I know this might be a bit out of date since we all know who the Coyotes will face, but I will quick recap the game about how Northern Kentucky beat Alaska.
Northern Kentucky jumped out to a 3-0 in the game. Alaska was able to take a 6-5 lead with 17 minutes left and was able to hold that lead for the next two minutes, but Northern Kentucky took a 7-6 lead and held for the rest of the half. The lead was never a big one, but Northern Kentucky held it and went into the half with a 26-21 lead.
Alaska came out after the half playing some tough defense and they were able to tie the game up at 26. Alaska held Northern Kentucky without a point until the 13:40 mark in the half. Alaska was unable to gain the lead when Northern Kentucky retook the lead 28-26 at that time. Alaska tied it up at 28 with a couple of free throws, but Northern Kentucky hit a quick shot to make it 30-28.
One last time Alaska was able to tie the game at 36 with 10:21 to go, but were unable to take the lead as Northern Kentucky hit a shot a minutes later to hold onto the lead for good at 38-36.
The game remained close and it was 57-54 with 20 seconds to go when Northern Kentucky’s Nicole Chiodi missed her second free throw which would have basically iced the game. Alaska’s Rebecca Kielpinski grabbed the rebound. Alaska got the ball to half court and called a timeout to set up the game tying shot. The three point shot was taken by Maria Nilsson who missed the shot and Northern Kentucky went onto win.
The key to the victory was Northern Kentucky’s defense. They were able to hold Alaska to a 29% shooting percentage on the day. Kielpinski, Alaska’s star, was held to a 2-13 shooting. Northern Kentucky didn’t have the same problem as Alaska as they shot 44.7% in the game, 57.1% in the second half.
Northern Kentucky was the 4th seed in the Great Lakes Region and has been able to earn a trip to the national championship game against the Coyotes on Saturday at five.
———Justin Rust
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