Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Northern Arizona
Buzzer Beater Downs Wildcats
1/10/2010 4:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OGDEN, Utah -- Amy Patton hit a shot as time expired to propel Northern Arizona over Weber State 63-62 on Saturday night at the Dee Events Center.
"We lacked the defensive intensity tonight that we needed to control this game," said WSU head coach Carla Taylor. "But in the end, we had our chance to win the game and we just didn't take advantage."
The Wildcats took a 62-61 lead with 52 seconds remaining on Ali Thorderson's jumper in the middle of the key. Tonya Schnibbe stole a pass by NAU's Vickie Toney with 32 seconds left, and the Lumberjacks fouled with six seconds to go.
Schnibbe, a 74 percent free throw shooter who had gone 7 for 8 from the line at that point in the game, missed both shots, giving the Lumberjacks an opening for the win. NAU's Katie Pratt hauled in the rebound and threw a pass to Patton at midcourt. Patton pulled up just inside the three-point arc and lofted a shot, beating the buzzer for the game winner.
"As a coach, you can't ask for a much better situation in a close game," said Taylor. "We're up one, and have one of our best free throw shooters at the line with six seconds left. It's just unbelievable that we were'nt able to finish that game."
The Wildcats opened the game with a 12-2 run over the first five-and-a-half minutes and led 20-6 with 10:45 remaining in the opening half.
The lead remained at 14 after Sarah Conner knocked down a three-pointer to put WSU ahead 28-14 with 3:52 in the half. The Lumberjacks closed the half with a 12-4 run, however, cutting the lead to 32-26 at the break.
NAU carried the momentum into the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 15-8 to take a 41-40 lead, their first of the game, at the 13:55 mark.
From there, a back-and-forth affair ensued as neither team led by more than three points. The lead changed hands seven times overall and the game was tied five times.
Patton led all players with 31 points and 10 rebounds as the Lumberjacks won for just the third time this season and earned their first Big Sky win of the year. Lauren Hoisington added 13 points and eight rebounds for NAU.
Schnibbe had an outstanding game for the Wildcats despite the late misses from the line. The senior point guard led WSU with 23 points and added a game-high seven assists. Her assist on a Caitlin Anderson layup at the 14:37 mark of the first half was her third of the game and gave her 500 in her career.
Tonya also scored 10 of her 23 points over the final 7:00 minutes, keeping the Wildcats in the game as she accounted for all but four of the team's 14 points during the stretch.
Caitlin Anderson added 12 points and six rebounds for the Wildcats, while Sarah Conner added nine points and five rebounds before fouling out with just under two minutes to play.
The Lumberjacks improved to 3-13 overall and 1-3 in the Big Sky with the win, while the Wildcats fall to 7-10 overall and 1-3 in the conference.
Weber State will have nearly a full week off before they return to action, hosting Idaho State on Jan. 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Dee Events Center.
