WOMEN'S BASKETBALL HAS LATE LEAD, BUT FALLS IN OVERTIME TO UNLV 97-92
11/20/2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State women's basketball team held an 88-84 lead with 1:14 remaining in regulation, before falling in overtime to the UNLV Lady Rebels by a score of 97-92 on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Hornets Nest.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 0-2 on the season, while UNLV improves to 2-1.
In a game that saw 10 ties and 14 lead changes, it was the Hornets who had early command. Senior forward Erika Edwards (Redmond, Wash.) hit four three-pointers to open the game, giving the Hornets a 12-7 lead that would extend to as many as 10 points on four occasions, the latest of which was at 29-19 with 9:29 remaining. After that point, however, UNLV went on an 11-0 run over the next 2:41 to take a 30-29 advantage.
The teams traded the lead back and forth the remainder of the half, with Sacramento State getting a three-pointer from senior guard Ashley Garcia (Antioch, Calif.) with four seconds remaining to take a 43-42 halftime lead.
For the second straight half, Sacramento State controlled the first few minutes, taking a seven point lead at 53-46 with 16:40 to play on a layup by senior forward Charday Hunt (Portland, Ore.). But UNLV once again erased the lead quickly, going on a 16-1 run over the 4:21 to take a 64-56 lead, their largest of the game, with 12:09 remaining.
Sacramento State slowly chipped away at the lead, finally tying it at 72-72 on a three-pointer by junior guard Jasmine Cannady (Sacramento, Calif.) with 5:47 remaining. The Lady Rebels would hold a four point lead at 84-80 with 2:34 to play, but the Hornets went on an 8-0 run over the following 1:20, behind a three-point play by sophomore guard Nneka Payne (Auburn, Wash.), a layup by junior forward Emily Christensen (El Dorado Hills, Calif.), and Edwards sixth three-pointer of the evening.
The Lady Rebels tied the score at 88-88 behind two free throws from Kelli Thompson and a layup by Jamie Smith, giving the Hornets one last chance in regulation with 20 seconds to go. Christensen took the ball at the top of the arc and dribbled down the heart of the key, only to have her layup attempt curl off the iron. Sandrine Nzeukou had the rebound for UNLV, but Payne swiped it from her and called timeout with 0.8 seconds remaining. On the inbound, the Hornets had to settle for a desparation three-point attempt that was no good, forcing overtime.
In the extra session, the Lady Rebels scored first on a layup by Thompson, but the Hornets would answer as Payne knocked down 2-of-3 at the line after being fouled in the act of shooting a three-pointer, tying the score at 90-90 with 3:42 left to play. UNLV took a 94-90 advantage with 2:07 to play, but the Hornets would pull to within two with 1:21 to play, as Hunt knocked down a pair of free throws.
After a missed UNLV jumper, the Hornets had a chance to tie, but Christensen's jumper from 10 feet was no good, and UNLV corralled the rebound. With a seven second differential on the shot clock and UNLV clinging to a two point lead, Erica Helms took a contested three-pointer with three seconds on the shot clock and drained it, giving her team a 97-92 lead with :10 seconds remaining, sealing the victory for the Lady Rebels.
The Hornets had five players reach double figures, led by Edwards, who scored a career-high 22 points on a career-best 6-for-10 performance from beyond the three-point arc. Hunt added 18 points and seven rebounds, while Cannady and freshman Kylie Kuhns (Salem, Ore.) each added 13 points. Payne finished the game with 11 points, while Christensen added nine.
The achilles heel for both team's in the contest was at the foul line, where UNLV was 19-for-31 (61.3 percent) and the Hornets were 17-for-30 (56.7 percent).
UNLV was led by Thompson, who bested all scorers with 26 points and played 42 minutes, knocking down five three-pointers. Nzeukou finished with a double-double, scoring 21 points and pulling down 11 rebounds, while Jamie Smith joined her in the double-double club with 11 points and 10 boards. Erica Helms scored 20 points, also in 42 minutes, collecting a game-high three steals.
Sacramento State returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 22 as they travel to Portland to take on the Pilots. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Sacramento State women's basketball team held an 88-84 lead with 1:14 remaining in regulation, before falling in overtime to the UNLV Lady Rebels by a score of 97-92 on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the Hornets Nest.
