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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Two weeks ago, most of those associated with the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball program wondered if the Norse would qualify for the NCAA Division II Tournament. Now, after conquering top-seeded Drury, 84-65, Saturday night in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region semifinals, NKU is one victory away from earning a trip to the Elite Eight. NKU shot 70 percent from the field during the second half to coast past the Lady Panthers and quiet the enthusiastic Drury fans in Weiser Gym. The crowd of 1,705 watched helplessly as Cassie Brannen scored 15 of her career-high 29 points in the second half to lead fourth-seeded NKU (24-8) into Monday’s regional championship game against third-seeded Missouri S&T (24-6). “The crowd in this gym is tremendous, and I think all of us really enjoy playing in front of a lot of fans,” NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. “I also give a big assist to our baseball team for the way they cheered for us. That gave us a big lift." Brannen, a junior post player from Mount Notre Dame High School in Cincinnati, also grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked three shots. She finished 10-for-10 at the free-throw line and added three assists. “Cassie did a little bit of everything in this game. She made big shots, rebounded and played good defense," Winstel said. "She always plays outstanding defense, but tonight her offensive game was huge.” Jessie Slack netted 12 of her 16 points during the final 20 minutes for the Norse, who outscored the Lady Panthers 53-37 after the break. Slack buried a trio of 3-pointers in the second half, including a trey while being fouled with 14:29 left in the game. She converted the free throw for a four-point play, and NKU suddenly owned a 45-37 lead. “When you make shots, it takes a lot of pressure off your defense, and Jessie’s shooting in the second half helped us build that lead,” Winstel said. “She is shooting the ball with a lot of confidence.” When Brannen drained a 3-pointer to give NKU a 61-51 lead with 6:29 left on the clock, Drury was finished. Angela Healy converted a basket the next time down the floor to extend the Norse’s advantage to 63-51, and Drury could get no closer than nine points the remainder of the game. Melanie Oliver scored 14 points for Drury, which finished the season with a 28-4 record. The Lady Panthers had no answer for NKU on the glass, as the Norse pounded the boards for a 42-28 advantage. Healy scored 12 points for NKU, while Nicole Chiodi added 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The Norse converted 29 of 33 free throws and were 7-for-12 from 3-point range. “We only had 16 turnovers, which is a lot better than the 26 we had the last time we played them,” Winstel said, noting her team’s loss to Drury in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament championship game. NKU limited GLVC Player of the Year Molly Carter to 11 points on 3-for-11 shooting from the field. Carter also missed all four of her 3-point attempts. Drury had beaten NKU three straight times prior to Saturday, including a 71-67 victory only six days earlier. Next up for NKU is Missouri S&T, which defeated Quincy in the other semifinal. The Norse are 1-1 against the Lady Miners this season.
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