Women's Basketball 2/8/2013 12:37:00 AM

OT buzzer beater sinks Dustdevils

Box Score LAREDO (February 7, 2013) – As the TAMIU women’s basketball team makes its final push for a post season bid, Cheniqwa Banks and the Newman University Jets handed the Dustdevils a heart wrenching 73-30 loss in overtime Thursday night at the TAMIU KCB.

With the game tied at 70 and less than five seconds remaining on the clock, Banks couldn’t locate an open teammate and threw up a desperation three pointer that found nothing but the bottom of the net as time expired.

The loss dropped the Dustdevils to 3-6 in conference play, setting up a pivotal showdown with Arkansas Fort-Smith on Saturday. With Newman’s win over TAMIU and the Lions 64-54 loss to St. Mary’s Thursday night, the Dustdevils remain one game ahead of both the Jets and the Lions for the fourth and final playoff spot.

The Dustdevils opened the game missing 15 of their first 16 shots, falling in quick 16-5 hole. Malika Jackson finally broke the early game slump, connecting on a jumper with 8:39 to pull TAMIU within nine points. After settling in, the Dustdevils slowly chipped away at the Jets’ lead pulling to within three points (19-16) off a Jackson layup. Newman quickly responded however, using a 12-4 run to extend their lead to 31-20. Samantha Chacon surged in the final two minutes of the half, scoring all five points of a 5-2 run to bring the Dustdevils within eight points (33-25) at the half.

The Jets opened the second half with six straight points to pad their lead 39-25. Spurred by guard Re'Nikia Meshack, the Dustdevils fired back with a 15-4 run to pull within one at 43-42. Meshack scored seven points in the run and then added two more moments later to tie the game at 44. Banks looked to give the Jets a huge momentum boost connecting on a three with 3:06 remaining to put Newman up five, but Amanda Mangan answered with five straight to even the game at 60. Bobbi Coleman’s three put Newman back on top, but a 4-2 spurt led by Jackson pulled TAMIU within one. With 11 seconds remaining, Meshack went to the line with a chance to give TAMIU the lead but could only connect on 1-of-2 tying the game at 65. Neither team was able to get a shot off in the final ten seconds and the game pressed on into overtime.

In the extra frame the Dustdevils once again had a chance to take the lead in the final 10 seconds, but Alexis Thomas hit only 1-2 free throws to tie the game at 70. As the clock ticked down, Banks took an awkward shot from the right wing that found its target as the final horn sounded.

TAMIU finished 22-of-55 from the field (40 percent) and 24-of-33 from the free throw line (72.7 percent) but couldn’t get anything to fall from the outside hitting only 2-of-10 (20 percent) attempts. Newman shot 21-of-60 from the floor (41.7 percent), but gained a huge advantage hitting 7-of-14 (50 percent) from three-point range.

Chacon led the Dustdevils with 20 points on 6-of-14 shooting, while Meshack turned in a season high 15. Jackson finished with her fifth double-double of the season scoring 15 to go along with 11 rebounds.

Four Jets scored in double figures, led by 12 points from Bobby Coleman and Alexandra Ciabottoni. Sumayyah Muhammad added 11 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double, and Kianna Flannagan totaled 10 points.

The Dustdevils will return to action Saturday afternoon, hosting the University of Arkansas Fort Smith in a must win situation. Tip off between TAMIU and UAFS is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the TAMIU KCB.

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