ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - Somehow, someway, they keep surviving and advancing. And they now stand just 40 minutes away from claiming their second NCAA Division II national championship in the past four years.
Northern Kentucky University’s Norse, the 2003 version of the cardiac kids during this NCAA Division II Tournament, pulled out a 45-43 victory over top-ranked California (Pa.) University Thursday night in the NCAA Division II Final Four. NKU made just 27.3 percent of its shots from the field, converted only 54.4 percent of its free throws in the second half and lost the rebounding battle by a 44-35 margin.
The Norse, however, forced California into 21 turnovers and refused to loosen their defensive clamps on the Vulcans in the final nine seconds to earn the win.
Kristin Polosky made two free throws with 1:53 remaining to snap a 43-43 tie and give NKU a 45-43 lead. Those free throws also turned out to be the final points of the game.
After Polosky missed the front end of the bonus with 12 seconds left, California rebounded and called timeout with nine seconds remaining. The Vulcans missed two shots, but NKU batted the ball out of bounds with 1.1 seconds on the clock, giving California one final opportunity.
The ensuing inbound pass was deflected away by NKU's Sharell Snardon, though, and the time expired.
"I really did not anticipate anything, but I wanted to make something positive happen on the final play," said Snardon, who led NKU with 11 points. "I knew a lot can happen with 1.1 seconds left, and I was just in the right place."
NKU (26-7) halted California's 17-game win streak to advance to the national championship game. The Vulcans finished the season 33-2.
"It wasn't pretty, but we really got after each other defensively," NKU head coach Nancy Winstel said. "Either team could have won this game. The last couple of minutes was just two teams playing very good defense, and we are fortunate to win this one."
California led by five points (37-32) with 12:04 remaining, but the Vulcans scored just six points the rest of the game. NKU regained the lead at 41-39 on a basket by Jessica Brock with 6:22 left, and the Norse's final four points came via Polosky free throws.
"It's hard to believe a team that shot 27 percent from the field is going to the national championship game, but their defense stepped up," California head coach Darcie Vincent said. "It was a great game to be involved in, and the fans got their money's worth."
Polosky finished with 10 points and five rebounds for NKU. Amy Mobley and Bridget Flanagan each added eight points for the Norse, who will face either South Dakota State or Bentley (Mass.) at 6 p.m. Saturday for the NCAA Division II national title.
NKU won the 2000 national championship with a 71-62 overtime victory against North Dakota State at Pine Bluff, Ark.
Sharell Snardon