March 11, 2000

KENTUCKY WESLEYAN DEFEATS NKU, 66-62

Panthers (28-2) rally to defeat Norse in NCAA Tournament

OWENSBORO, Ky. - Senior forward Leroy John scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds Saturday afternoon as Kentucky Wesleyan College rallied to defeat Northern Kentucky University, 66-62, in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament in the Owensboro Sportscenter.

NKU, which finished the season 26-7, held a 32-29 lead at halftime. KWC, however, made 15 of 23 free throws in the second half and limited NKU to just 3 of 12 shooting from three-point range during the final 20 minutes to advance to the Great Lakes Region championship game.

Senior forward Scott Marston led NKU with 17 points, and sophomore forward Craig Sanders added 12 points. Junior guard Lorico Duncan scored 18 points for KWC, which won the rebounding battle by a 46-28 margin. The Panthers, now 28-2 and looking for their second straight NCAA Division II national championship, had 17 offensive rebounds on Saturday.