Last Second Three Pointer Lifts RiverHawks Over UCO

RiverHawk senior guard Taylor Lewis rattled home a 10-foot jumper with 2.8 seconds to play to lift the Northeastern State women's basketball team to a 54-53 victory over the University of Central Oklahoma Wednesday night in Edmond.

The RiverHawks (10-5, 5-2 MIAA) held their largest lead of the game at 16 points with just 9:33 left in the contest, but the Bronchos (8-7, 1-6 MIAA) went on a 22-6 run over the course of the next 8:18 to tie the contest at 50-50.

Senior forward Sarah Green converted a layup with 40 seconds left, but a three from Chelsi Dennis with just 17 seconds to play gave the home side its first lead of the game at 53-52.

NSU coach Randy Gipson called a timeout to calm his team down, and the RiverHawks looked the part in the final ticks off the clock.

After the team broke the press and set up the offense, Lewis collected the ball on the right wing and proceeded to dribble through the top of the post on the left side.

Lewis was being heavily guarded, but a well-timed pump fake forced her defender to jump early. She was able to rise above and get off a clean shot, and the ball bounced on the rim and went down as NSU regained the lead with 2.8 seconds left to play.

UCO was unable to attempt a clean look as Northeastern State thwarted the comeback.

Lewis finished the contest with a game-high 19 points on an efficient 7-for-13 shooting. She was also 5-for-10 from distance. Sophomore guard Chelsey Stricklen tied her career high with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Fellow sophomore guard Fontana Tate scored six points and pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds.

The RiverHawks went 10-for-34 from downtown in the game. The 34 attempts were the most since a meeting with Cameron on Feb. 24, 2010.

The Bronchos were led in scoring by Rachel New's 13 off the bench. Whitney Dunn added 12 and Alyssa Fuxa contributed 10.