Preview: Colonials 2020-21 women’s basketball season tips off
December 12, 2020
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.– The Robert Morris women’s basketball team will hit the road to begin their 2020-21 season with two games against the Northern Kentucky Norse in Highland Heights. The Colonials look to begin their season on a high note, and the Norse look to get on the right track after an 0-4 start.
Recapping RMU
The Colonials will hit the court for the first time since winning their first-round game of the NEC Tournament over Wagner. The team was supposed to play in the semi-finals on March 12 before the shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their matchup with Cleveland State was originally in place of this series, but was replaced with the Northern Kentucky games. Women’s basketball also had a non-conference game against Norfolk State canceled.
Scouting NKU
The Norse are off to a slow start in 2020, losing all four contests they have played this season. The most recent result was a blowout loss to No. 19 Ohio State, 96-63. One thing that has been hurting the Norse in the young campaign is their defense, giving up over 60 points in all four games. Opponents have a .463 field goal percentage from the floor and they are allowing 6.8 three-pointers a game.
Players to Watch
Isabella Posset (RMU) – Posset is fantastic on defense for RMU, as she is one of four Colonials to reach 100 career steals. Look for her to give RMU some fast-break points in this one using her pickpocketing abilities.
Nina Augustin (RMU) – Augustin has a propensity to reach the charity stripe, setting the single-season record for free-throw percentage in 2019-20. RMU’s best chance is if Augustin is at the free-throw line.
Lindsey Duvall (NKU) – Duvall has had a heavy presence on the court and on the defensive in the first four games of the season, averaging 8.3 rebounds-per-game this season.
Ivy Turner (NKU) – Turner has been putting up a lot of points for the Norse, a bright spot in an otherwise tough start to the season. She is second on the team with 9.3 points-per-game. She will need to be controlled for RMU to win this game.
Prediction
With the Norse struggling on defense, I think it plays right into RMU’s hand, they will take both games. The first game will finish 65-55 and the second one will be 70-67, making RMU 2-0, and getting their first Horizon League victories.