Polosky’s career comes to end with Norse loss in final
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Kristin Polosky hopes her basketball legacy at Northern Kentucky isn’t written from her final game. The Norse fell to South Dakota State, 65-50, in the NCAA Division II women’s championship game on Saturday night.
Melissa Pater scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds – both game highs – for the Jackrabbits (32-3), who led 32-17 at halftime on their way to their claiming their first national crown.
It was Northern Kentucky’s and Polosky’s second trip to the final in three years, having won it all in 2000 when the Mapletown graduate contributed heavily as a freshman.
This time they fell one win short.
“Our legacy, I think, is as a team we were winners, even though individually we might not have the really big stats,” said Polosky who totaled five points, five rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot in her final game.
“I hope they will remember us as a winning team that brought recognition to NKU.”
The Norse (26-8) made an improbable run to reach the championship game. They were seeded fifth in the Great Lakes Regional and considered a long shot to get to the Elite Eight, but they earned their third trip to the quarterfinals in four years.
“I’ll always remember this team, and how well they played during the NCAA tournament,” Northern Kentucky coach Nancy Winstel said. “After the way we played at our conference tournament, no one gave us a chance. These players kept working at it, though, and they deserve a lot of credit.”
Connie Myers and Sharell Snardon led the Norse with 12 points apiece. Amy Mobley added 11 points and seven rebounds. Snardon was named to the Elite Eight All-Tournament Team.
Northern Kentucky sliced the deficit to nine points twice in the second half, the last time on a 3-pointer by Bridget Flanagan with 12:37 remaining, but could get no closer.
Pater was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.
“It’s a great way to end a season and a career,” she said.
Heather Sieler added 11 points for South Dakota State and Brenda Davis had 10.
Northern Kentucky shot just 34 percent from the field and was only 4-of-20 from behind the 3-point line.
“We weren’t really rushing shots,” Winstel said. “They just weren’t going in.”
Pater, Sieler and Snardon were named to the all-tournament team along with Carone Harris of Central Arkansas and Keri Flynn of Bentley.