March 11, 2000

NKU EARNS REPEAT TRIP TO THE ELITE 8

Norse defeat Northern Michigan, 77-70

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Junior guard Michele Tuchfarber scored 22 points Saturday night as the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team defeated Northern Michigan University, 77-70, in the championship game of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region Tournament in Regents Hall.

Sophomore forward Michelle Cottrell added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Norse, who won their 21st consecutive game and improved to 29-2. Cottrell was also named the tournament’s most outstanding player as NKU rallied from a 12-point deficit in the first half.

Tuchfarber scored 17 of her 22 points in the second half for the Norse. She also made all 10 of her free throw attempts.

NKU will make its second straight trip to the Elite Eight at Pine Bluff, Ark., March 22-25. The Norse will play unbeaten and top-ranked College of St. Rose (N.Y.), which is now 34-0 after defeating Bentley (Mass.), 82-72, for the Northeast Region title.

NKU is ranked No. 2 nationally. The NKU/St. Rose game will be played March 22.

GREAT LAKES REGION ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Sara Mauck, Missouri-St. Louis

Allison Bailey, Michigan Tech

Michele Tuchfarber, NKU

Jill Gobert, Northern Michigan

Sasha Leverentz, Northern Michigan

Most Outstanding Player: Michelle Cottrell, NKU