Nov. 8, 2002

NKU WOMEN RANKED NO. 6 IN NATION

Norse to begin season Nov. 22 against Grand Valley State

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University women’s basketball team is ranked No. 6 nationally in the WBCA’s NCAA Division II preseason poll.

South Dakota State University is ranked No. 1 in the poll, followed by Missouri Western State College, the University of North Dakota, defending NCAA Division II national champion Cal Poly-Pomona and Glenville State College.

NKU, which posted a 26-7 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight last season, will begin the 2002-03 season on Nov. 22 against Grand Valley State University in a game that will be played at Findlay, Ohio. The Norse will then meet the University of Findlay on Nov. 23 on the Oilers’ home court.

NKU, which captured the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular-season championship in 2001-02 and finished with a No. 5 national ranking in the NCAA Division II poll, will begin defense of its GLVC title on Nov. 30 when Quincy University visits Regents Hall.

NKU, which has made three trips to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight during the past four seasons, will welcome back two starters and eight letterwinners from its Great Lakes Region championship team. Senior guard Bridget Flanagan averaged 12.8 points per game last season and earned second team All-GLVC honors. Flanagan also made a school-record 81 three-point field goals in 2001-02.

The Norse also return senior forward Amy Mobley, who averaged 11.5 ppg and 6.4 rebounds per contest. Senior forward Kristin Polosky returns after averaging 9.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg.

WBCA/NCAA II preseason poll

1. South Dakota State

2. Missouri Western State

3. North Dakota

4. California State Poly-Pomona

5. Glenville State

6. Northern Kentucky

7. Arkansas Tech

8. California State-Bakersfield   

9. Southern Indiana 

10. Western Washington

11. Florida Tech

12. Saint Mary's

13. Bentley

14. American International

15. Seattle Pacific

16. Southeastern Oklahoma State

17. South Carolina-Aiken  

18. North Dakota State

19. Lake Superior State

20. Southwest State

21. Central Arkansas

22. Mars Hill

23. Mesa State

24. California (Pa.)

25. Adelphi