Karmen Graham

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team has been picked third in the Great Lakes Valley Conference East preseason poll, the league announced Thursday.

The new-look GLVC will be split into two seven-team divisions in 2005-06, with NKU competing in the GLVC East. The Norse will be joined in the GLVC East by Bellarmine, Saint Joseph’s, Lewis, Wisconsin-Parkside, Indianapolis and Kentucky Wesleyan.

Bellarmine was tabbed the preseason favorite in the GLVC East by the coaches. The Knights received five first-place votes and 35 total points.

Lewis (two first-place votes, 32 total points) is picked second in the poll. NKU received 25 points and is third, followed by Indianapolis (20 points) at fourth. Kentucky Wesleyan and Wisconsin-Parkside tied for fifth place in the GLVC East poll.

First-year GLVC member Drury was picked to win the GLVC West with six first-place votes and 36 total points.

NKU welcomes back three starters from last season’s 16-12 team. The top returning player for NKU is 6-foot-1 junior Karmen Graham, who averaged 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game during the 2004-05 season. Graham also earned honorable mention All-GLVC accolades.

Karyn Creager, a 5-11 junior guard, averaged 9.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game last season. She also set an NKU single-season record by making 27 consecutive free throws.

NKU begins the season Nov. 16 against Wilberforce (Ohio) in Regents Hall at 7 p.m.

Great Lakes Valley Conference women’s basketball preseason poll

GLVC East

1. Bellarmine (5) 35
2. Lewis (2) 32
3. Northern Kentucky 25
4. Indianapolis 20
5. Kentucky Wesleyan 14
5. UW-Parkside 14
7. Saint Joseph’s 7

GLVC West

1. Drury (6) 36
2. Quincy (1) 30
3. Southern Indiana 26
4. SIU Edwardsville 21
5. Missouri-Rolla 16
6. Missouri-St. Louis 12
7. Rockhurst 6