March 22, 2000

NKU UPSETS NO. 1 ST. ROSE, 60-50, AT ELITE 8

Norse rally from 10-point deficit to advance to NCAA II Final Four

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Freshman guard Bridget Flanagan came off the bench and scored all 13 of her points in the second half Wednesday night as the Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team defeated the College of St. Rose, 60-50, in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.

St. Rose (34-1) entered the game ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, and the Golden Knights held a 10-point lead early in the second half. NKU, though, rallied behind the play of Flanagan and freshman forward Amy Mobley (nine points and five rebounds). The Norse, ranked No. 2 nationally in Division II, trailed 44-41 midway through the second half but used a 19-6 run to end the game.

It was NKU’s 22nd consecutive victory, and the Norse improved to 30-2. Junior guard Michele Tuchfarber led the Norse with 14 points, and sophomore forward Michelle Cottrell added 13 points.

NKU advances to play Western Washington University (27-3) in the NCAA Division II Final Four at 9 p.m. (EST) Thursday night. North Dakota State will meet Columbus (Ga.) State in the other Final Four game on Thursday.

The NCAA Division II national championship game will be played at 4:30 p.m. (EST) on Saturday.