Northern Kentucky University shot 50.0 percent from behind the arc as it topped 20th-ranked Lake Superior State University, 71-62, this evening in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament at the Physical Activities Center in Evansville, Indiana. The 10th-ranked Norse, who entered the tournament as the third seed, improve to 25-6 and advance to play the top-seeded University of Southern Indiana while the Lakers, who entered as the second seed, finish with a 20-6 record.

Senior forward Michelle Cottrell and senior guard Suzie Smith led NKU in the victory. Cottrell scored a team-high 21 points and brought down six rebounds while Smith finished with 16 points. The Norse also benefited from a behind 10-rebound/seven-rebound performance by junior forward Amy Mobley.

Junior forward Alice Duesing led all scorers as she pumped in 25 points to the LSSU scoring attack. Sophomore forward/center Allyson Conaway and junior guard Danielle Pettingill had 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the loosing effort. Conaway finished with a team-leading nine rebounds.

NKU will play USI in the championship game tomorrow night at the Physical Activities Center. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. This will be the fourth time the two teams have met the season, with USI holding a 2-1 advantage.