Northern Kentucky University shot 57.1 percent from the floor in the second half as it pulled away from Northern Michigan University to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament at the Physical Activities Center in Evansville, Indiana. The third-seeded Norse improve to 24-6 while the sixth-seeded Wildcats finish their season with a 20-9 record.

NKU protected the ball in the first period, giving up just three turnovers to NMU's eight, but shot just 35.7 percent from the floor as it went into the locker room with a 29-26 halftime lead.

The Norse used a 9-2 run to open the second stanza as they built their lead to 10 points. However, NMU's senior guard Marisa DellAngelo connected on four shots from behind the arc in the second half, seven for the game, to keep the Wildcats in the contest.

Up by one with 7:11 to go in regulation, NKU reeled off a 16-4 run to put the game out of reach and propel it to a 73-60 first-round victory.

Junior guard Bridget Flanagan and junior forward Amy Mobley led the Norse. Flanagan finished with a team-high 22 points while Mobley added 17 points and a game-high tying 10 rebounds. The GLVC Player of the Year Michelle Cottrell contributed 12 points to the NKU scoring attack.

DellAngelo went 7-of-13 from behind the arc and finished with a game-high 32 points to lead the Wildcats. Senior forward Kelly Simcik added 10 points and 10 rebounds in the loosing effort.

NKU, ranked 10th in the nation, will play the second seed, Lake Superior State University, in the semifinals of the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional Tournament tomorrow night at the Physical Activities Center. Game time is slated for six o'clock.