The Associated Press

LAKELAND, Fla. - Junior center Cliff Clinton scored 21 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds Monday night as Northern Kentucky University, ranked second in Division II, defeated sixth-ranked Florida Southern 61-50.

Clinton had 15 points and nine rebounds in the first half as NKU (6-0) built a 33-22 lead in the NCAA Division II showdown. The Norse held Florida Southern (4-2) to just 30 percent shooting from the field and led by 11 at halftime despite connecting on just 37 percent of their shots.

NKU will play at the University of Tampa 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

NKU (61) - Moore 2-12 7-7 11, Cluxton 5-15 0-0 13, Clinton 9-17 3-3 21, A. Listerman 3-8 1 -2 8, K. Listerman 0-3 4-5 4, Lane 0-4 0-0 0, Minor 0-2 0-0 0, Clark 1-2 0-0 2, Gibson 1-1 0-0 2. Totals

21-64 15-17 61.

FSC (50) - Tumer 4-13 1-2 9, Robertson 4-8 ôÇ 9, McManamey 3-9 0-0 8, Baker 3-13 1-3 7, M urdock 4-6 0-0 8, Phillips 1-5 1-2 3, Osborne 2-6 0-1 4, Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Ber mudez 0-0 2-2 2. Totals 21-60 6-13 50.

Halftime: NKU 33-22. 3-point goals: NKU 4-19 (Cluxton 3-10, Moore 0-2, A. Listerman 1-2, K. Listerman 0-1, Minor 0-2), FSC 2-9 (McManamey 2-6, Tumer 0-2, Baker 0-1). Rebounds: NKU 45 (Clinton 16), FSC 43 (Baker 13). Assists: NKU 12 (K. Listerman 6), FSC 11 (Tumer 8).

Published Nov. 26, 1996.