HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University will host the College of Charleston in the first round of the Women's Basketball Invitational tonight at 7 p.m. in The Bank of Kentucky Center.
Northern Kentucky owns a 15-12 record entering the WBI, a 16-team tournament. The Norse finished 12-6 in the Atlantic Sun Conference and won nine of their last 11 games to earn the postseason berth.
Northern Kentucky closed the regular season with a four-game winning streak. The Norse also defeated a pair of A-Sun teams (Stetson and Mercer) that won at least 20 games this season.
College of Charleston enters the WBI with a 15-15 overall record and won seven of its final 10 games. The Cougars finished 11-9 in the Southern Conference.
The Northern Kentucky/College of Charleston winner will face either Detroit or Belmont in the second round Saturday or Sunday. Northern Kentucky is the No. 4 seed in the East Region bracket, while the College of Charleston is the No. 5 seed.
Detroit is the No. 1 seed in the East Region, while Belmont is No. 8.
Past champions of the WBI include Appalachian State (2010), Alabama-Birmingham (2011) and Minnesota (2012).
POSTSEASON HISTORY: While a member of Division II, Northern Kentucky made 21 trips to the NCAA Tournament and won national championships in both 2000 and '08. The Norse posted a 27-19 all-time record in the Division II NCAA Tournament.
During the program's early years, Northern Kentucky made three trips to the now-defunct Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) Tournament. The Norse were also invited to the 1979 National Women's Invitational, where they defeated Mississippi College before dropping games to both Drake and Oregon.
BOARD GAMES: Northern Kentucky senior forward
Tiara Hopper hauled in a career-high 17 rebounds during the Norse's 76-71 overtime win against Jacksonville on March 2. Hopper also added 12 points in that victory and averages 5.9 rebounds per game.
IN THE CLUTCH: Freshman guard
Rianna Gayheart scored six points in overtime in Northern Kentucky's win against Jacksonville. Gayheart, a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference's All-Freshman team, finished with 13 points, six rebounds and five assists in the Jacksonville victory.
UP THE LIST: Norse senior center
Ellen Holton is now 43rd in school history with 756 career points. Holton scored 16 points against Jacksonville to pass both Heather Livingstone and Julie Stanley on the Northern Kentucky all-time points list. Teresa Rump is No. 42 on the list with 772 career points.
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR THE CENTURY MARK: NKU senior guard
Jaimie Hamlet enters Wednesday night with 99 career 3-point field goals, which ties her for eighth place on the Norse all-time list with Heather Livingstone. Amy Mobley is seventh in Norse history with 104 career 3-pointers.
PERFECT TREND: Northern Kentucky is unbeaten (13-0) when leading at halftime this season. The Norse are also perfect (6-0) when scoring more than 71 points.
THE STREAK CONTINUES: Northern Kentucky clinched its 30th consecutive winning season with a 57-44 victory over North Florida on Feb. 28. Since an 0-4 start, Northern Kentucky has posted a 15-8 record.
