EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Erin Moran scored 18 of her game-high 21 points in the second half Thursday as the University of Indianapolis rallied to defeat Northern Kentucky University, 67-58, in the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament at Roberts Stadium.
Megan Dossen finished with 14 points for third-seeded Indianapolis, which improved to 21-7. The Greyhounds shot 58.3 percent from the field in the second half, including 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range.
NKU (17-10) built a 14-point lead with 4:11 left in the first half, but Indianapolis used a 10-3 run to close within 31-24 at halftime. Jessica Brock and Elizabeth Burrows each scored six points in the first half for sixth-seeded NKU.
The Norse still owned a 40-34 lead with 14:27 left in the game, but Indianapolis used a 26-13 spurt to take a 60-53 advantage with 2:55 remaining. Moran hit four three-pointers to key the Indianapolis run.
Nikki Perkins made a three-pointer with 2:16 remaining to bring NKU within 60-56, but Moran countered with a jumper to extend Indianapolisí lead to 62-56 with 1:19 left in the game.
Burrows led NKU with 14 points, and Myers finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Sharell Snardon added 10 points and four blocked shots for NKU, which lost in the first round of the GLVC Tournament for the first time in history.
NKU shot just 36.7 percent from the field in the second half and committed 14 turnovers for the game. The Norse entered the GLVC Tournament needing at least one victory to earn a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
NKU was ranked No. 9 in the latest NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region poll, and the top eight teams qualify for the NCAA Tournament. The Norse had advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament five straight years, but the loss to Indianapolis will prevent NKU from earning a berth when the pairings are announced Sunday night.
NKU had advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight four times in the past five years. A year ago, the Norse won the regional championship and finished as national runner-up.
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Jessica Brock |