EAST PEORIA, Ill.—The No. 24-ranked University of Southern Indiana softball team could not overcome an early deficit as it fell to Northern Kentucky University, 3-2, Saturday in the elimination bracket of the GLVC Tournament.

USI (37-16), which was ranked second in the region heading into the league tournament, will await a bid into the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional Tournament, which is expected to be announced late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Northern Kentucky (38-18) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never relinquished the lead.

The Screaming Eagles cut the deficit in half in the bottom of the fifth inning when senior shortstop Krista Nugent (Hurricane, Utah) singled up the middle to drive in freshman centerfielder Ally McKinley (Sullivan, Indiana).

NKU, however, added another run in the top of the sixth inning to take a 3-1 lead. USI countered with a run in the bottom of the sixth when junior utility player Nikki Nichols (Henderson, Kentucky) singled to centerfield to plate junior second baseman Audra Lindenschmidt (Evansville, Indiana).

The Eagles had an opportunity later in the inning to even the score or take the lead, but a sharply hit line drive off the bat of sophomore third baseman Kristin Eickholt (Van Wert, Ohio) was snagged by NKU pitcher Candace White for the last out in the inning.

Senior hurler Lindsey McNaughton (Carmel, Indiana) was charged with the loss after giving up three runs off 10 hits in seven innings of work.