March 10, 2000

NKU EDGES MICHIGAN TECH, 60-59

Norse (28-2) one win from Elite Eight repeat

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Sophomore forward Michelle Cottrell scored a basket with six seconds remaining in the game Friday night as the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team defeated Michigan Tech University, 60-59, in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region in Regents Hall.

Cottrell’s basket came off an offensive rebound after a miss by NKU’s Bridget Flanagan. Cottrell, who had 29 points and 15 rebounds, powered her way inside for the basket to give NKU a 60-59 lead. MTU’s Clara Goggins attempted a three-pointer in the final seconds, but the shot was short and sent NKU (28-2) into Saturday’s Great Lakes Region championship game against Northern Michigan.

Northern Michigan (25-5) defeated the University of Missouri-St. Louis, 97-73, in the other semifinal game on Friday.

NKU is the defending Great Lakes Region champion, and the Norse are seeking their second straight trip to the Elite Eight at Pine Bluff, Ark. A year ago, Cottrell made a basket at the buzzer to lift NKU past MTU, 65-63, in the Great Lakes Region championship game.