Dec. 9, 1999

NKU HOSTS 16TH ANNUAL PERKINS CLASSIC

Norse (4-0) to meet Lander (S.C.) in first round on Friday

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team will play host to the 16th annual Perkins/NKU Classic this weekend in Regents Hall. NKU, now 4-0 overall and ranked No. 5 nationally in the WBCA Division II poll, will face Lander (S.C.) University in the first round at 7:45 p.m. Friday.

In the other first-round game at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Lake Superior State (6-2) plays Edinboro (Pa.) University (4-3). The consolation game of the tournament is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by the championship game at 7:45 p.m.

OFF THE BENCH: NKU sophomore forward Michelle Cottrell, who did not start for the first time in her career on Tuesday night due to illness, came off the bench and scored 18 points to lead the Norse to an 84-71 victory at Indianapolis. Cottrell leads NKU in scoring (20.3 points per game) and rebounding (9.0 rpg). She also has made 63.6 percent of her shots from the field.

Junior guard Michele Tuchfarber averages 17.3 ppg and 3.8 rebounds per contest. Tuchfarber has also made 5 of 12 three-point attempts, and she has 10 steals. Junior guard Heather Livingstone averages 13.5 ppg and is 11 for 18 from three-point range. Livingstone also leads the team with 15 assists and has 13 steals.

Junior center Julie Cowens averages 12.0 ppg, and she has made 70.8 percent of her shots from the field. Freshman center Kristin Polosky is scoring 7.8 ppg, and she leads NKU with 13 steals. Junior forward Jessica Jenson averages 5.7 ppg, and she also averages 4.7 rpg. Freshman forward Bridget Flanagan averages 6.0 ppg, and freshman forward Amy Mobley is scoring 5.8 ppg. Sophomore point guard Suzie Smith averages 4.0 ppg and has 10 assists.

ABOUT LANDER: The Lady Senators, members of the NCAA Division II Peach Belt Athletic Conference, own a 6-1 record entering the Perkins/NKU Classic.

Lander is led by senior guard Shorell Harrison, who averages 14.6 ppg. Senior center Jackie Entzminger is scoring 12.4 ppg, and she leads the team in both rebounding (8.4 rpg) and blocked shots (13). Senior forward Christy Burrows averages 10.1 ppg.

ABOUT LAKE SUPERIOR STATE: The Lakers, members of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, are 6-2 entering the tournament. LSSU is led by senior center Shannon Kulick, who averages 13.8 ppg and 10.1 rebounds. Freshman guard/forward Alice Duesing averages 14.3 ppg, and junior forward Kendra Harris is scoring 10.1 ppg.

Sophomore guard Jennie Doyle averages 8.3 ppg for the Lakers, who won the Perkins/NKU Classic two years ago.

ABOUT EDINBORO: The Fighting Scots, members of the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, are 4-3. Edinboro is led by senior guard Jessica Rowe, who averages 23.1 ppg. Senior forward Marin Hightower averages 18.3 ppg, and junior forward Kim Vay is scoring 10.9 ppg. Vay also leads the team in rebounding at 8.9 rpg.

Edinboro met NKU in the first round of the 1996 Perkins/NKU Classic and posted a 68-65 victory against the Norse.