HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky women's basketball is back on the road this weekend to take on in-state foe Murray State on Saturday, Nov. 18. Tipoff against the Racers is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT/7 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on the OVC Digital Network.

LAST TIME OUT: Turnovers and fouls proved to be the primary antagonists in NKU's 49-37 loss to Illinois State on the road. The Norse committed 27 miscues and sent the Redbirds to the line 26 times, compared to just six free throws for NKU. Molly Glick led the Norse in scoring once again, with 11 points, while Samari Mowbray was just off double digits with nine points. Kailey Coffey led the team on the boards, with seven.
 
SCOUTING MURRAY STATE: Like the Norse, Murray State is seeking its first win of the season, sitting at 0-2 thus far. The Racers are under the guidance of first-year head coach Rechelle Turner and have dropped an 89-81 decision to Evansville before falling to Butler in the home opener, 88-59. 
  
Senior forward Ke'Shunan James is the team's primary threat, with 30 points and 13 rebounds against Evansville and 21 points and eight rebounds versus Butler. Bria Bethea has also had successful scoring year for the Racers with 21.5 ppg and is shooting 50 percent from the field, including 41.7 percent from 3-pooint range. In terms of the team's statistical strength, Murray State has kept its turnovers relatively, low, but opposing teams have been able to break through the defense and shoot 55 percent against the Racers this season.
  
The two teams have met on the hardwood 12 times in the all-time series, with NKU holding a 9-3 advantage. The two teams renewed a series that had been on hiatus for 35 years last season, with the Racers claiming a 72-69 overtime win at BB&T Arena on Dec. 10, 2016.
 
YOUNG BLOOD: With Mikayla Terry being the team's lone senior, Northern Kentucky's roster features 11 underclassmen in its 12 active players. That makes NKU one of the youngest teams in NCAA Division I, trailing only Alabama A&M with regards to percentage of underclassmen, as the Lady Bulldogs have 13 underclassmen out of 14 active players. The Norse also have one of the most freshman-laden rosters in NCAA Division I with 58.3 percent of the roster being rookie players. Only Fordham (64.3 percent), Savannah State (60.0 percent) and Air Force (58.8 percent) have higher ratios of freshmen on a squad. (Special thanks to Fort Wayne's Brian Alden for compiling the corresponding data).