The Lady Bears punched their ticket to the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament championship game for the second consecutive season on Thursday evening with a hard-fought 80-72 victory over No. 6-seeded Otterbein in the OAC tournament semifinals at the ONU Sports Center.
The Polar Bears improve to 23-4 on the season, while the Cardinals end their season at 17-10.
Northern will host No. 2-seeded Marietta at King-Horn in the tournament championship contest at 3 p.m. on Saturdayafternoon with a trip to the 2018 NCAA III tourney on the line.
MARIETTA — ONU senior Nate Burger (Dayton/Alter) scored early and a hobbled senior Ryan Bruns (Chickasaw/Marion Local) scored late as Ohio Northern knocked off No. 24-ranked Marietta 92-86 in the semifinals of the 2018 Ohio Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament against a near-capacity crowd at Ban John Arena.
It is also just the second time in ONU history (and first since 1987-88) that both Ohio Northern's men's and women's teams reached the finals of the OAC tiurney in the same season.
The Child Development Center at ONU recently earned a 5-star rating, the highest possible score, from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Education.
The department recognizes early learning and development programs for 3-5 year olds that meet quality standards rising beyond health and safety licensing requirements.
By Cort Reynolds|
CANTON - Ada sophomore Klava Katayama advanced to the 50-yard freestyle finals at the 42nd annual Ohio Div. II girls state swim meet at Canton's C.T. Branin Natatorium Thursday evening.
Katayama took 16th out of 24 in the 50 freestyle preliminary heats in a time of 24.51, which garnered her the last qualifying spot for the B finals Friday evening.
Katayama tied for 18th in a field of 24 in the 100 butterfly semifinals. Klava and fellow sophomore Anna Baker of Middletown Bishop Fenwick each posted a time of 58.49, a career-best for the Adaite.
HIRAM — The Ohio Northern women's lacrosse team opened its third season of action and 2018 campaign with a 16-9 victory over Hiram on Thursday evening at Henry Field.
The Polar Bears move to 1-0 on the season, while the Terriers fall to 0-1.
Northern was led by freshman Sydney Skelding's (Dublin, Calif.) six goals.
Sophomore Maggie Fuller (Naples, Fla.) and freshman Sabra Woofruff (Beavercreek) each record hat-tricks in the victory, scoring three goals each.
The College Sports Information Directors of America has recognized Ohio Northern senior Joey DiOrio (Columbus/Watterson) as a member of the first team academic all-district team for his efforts this season on the court and in the classroom.
CoSIDA recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.
A mechanical engineering major, DiOrio is currently third on the team with 12.8 points per contest and ranks second on the team with 76 3-point field goals.
