Cincinnati Enquirer

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Jesse Rupe scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds Friday night as Northern Kentucky University advanced to the championship game of the John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic with a win over Gannon (Pa.) in Regents Hal.

Rupe, a 6-foot-10 senior center, made 13 of 15 free throws. Junior guard Mike Kelsey (Elder) added 18 points, six rebounds and four assists for NKU.

NKU will face Christian Brothers (3-0) in the championship game at 7:45 p.m. today in Regents Hall.

Christian Brothers advanced to the title game with an 86-67 win over West Virginia Wesleyan (0-3).

John L. Griffin/Lions Club Classic

NKU 88, GANNON 81

At Highland Heights

GANNON (1-1) - Kirby 5-10 0-2 10, Husted 8-12 2-3 18, Johnson 2-6 3-4 9, Andrews 2-3 0-0 4, Jones 4-7 3-4 12, Rainey 9-19 0-1 22, Rivera 0-0 0-0 0, Wright 0-1 0-0 0, Chaney 2-5 0-0 4, Hunt 0-1 2-2 2, Swain 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 32-64 10-16 81.

NKU (2-2) - Rupe 5-12 13-15 23, Cary 0-2 0-0 0, Kelsey 5-12 6-8 18, Howell 2-5 2-2 8, Rowland 2-4 0-0 4, Lewin 1-6 2-2 4, Purdon 1-4 0-0 3, Schappell 4-8 2-2 10, Reinhardt 6-13 6-6 18. Totals: 26-66 31-35 88.

Halftime: NKU 39, G 33. 3-pointers: G 7-20 (Johnson 2-3, Andrews 0-1, Jones 1-3, Rainey 4-12, Hunt 0-1), NKU 5-24 (Kelsey 2-6, Howell 2-5, Rowland 0-1, Lewin 0-3, Purdon 1-4, Schappell 0-2, Reinhardt 0-3). Rebounds: G 38 (Kirby 11, Husted 11), NKU 39 (Rupe 12). Assists: G 13 (Kirby 4), NKU 8 (Kelsey 4).