ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Bridget Flanagan scored 15 of her 20 points in the second half Wednesday as Northern Kentucky University defeated Washburn (Kan.) University, 65-53, in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight at the St. Joseph Civic Arena.
Sharell Snardon added 16 points and five rebounds as 15th-ranked NKU (25-7) snapped No. 5 Washburn's 14-game win streak and advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four to meet top-ranked California (Pa.) University at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Norse shot 52.2 percent from the field and held Washburn (30-4) to just 39.2 percent shooting from the field.
"We did a nice job defensively against a very talented team," NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. "When you get this far in the NCAA Tournament, it's usually your defense that wins it for you, and that was the story today."
NKU's defense, in fact, held Washburn scoreless for more than nine minutes in the second half to roll past the Lady Blues. The Norse built a 38-30 halftime lead as Snardon scored 13 points and dominated the action inside.
"Sharell did a great job of establishing her position in the post, and we did a good job of finding her," Winstel said.
After Lora Westling hit a three-pointer to cut the NKU lead to 41-35 with 17:50 remaining, NKU scored the next nine points during the following nine minutes to take a 50-35 advantage. Flanagan scored seven points to key the Norse spurt.
The Norse eventually led by as many as 20 points (61-41) before settling for the 12-point victory.
"We want to win one game, three different times in this tournament," said NKU's Amy Mobley, who scored nine points and added five assists. "That's how you win a national championship, and that's what we are going to try and do."
Kristin Polosky added 13 points and five assists for NKU, which is in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the fourth time in the past five years. Crystal Walker led Washburn with 21 points.
NKU, which entered the NCAA Division II Tournament as the No. 5 seed in the Great Lakes Regional, has won four straight games to reach the Final Four.
"This is an interesting team to coach, and they are playing very well right now," Winstel said. "We know California is a great team, and they have some very impressive players. It's going to be a tough game."
California (Pa.) owns a 33-1 record going into Thursday's game against NKU. The Vulcans defeated the University of North Florida, 76-62, on Wednesday to advance to the Final Four.
Bridget Flanagan