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Life > Athletics > Basketball >12/4/06
HILL’S LAST SECOND HEROICS SAVE HENDERSON STATE AGAINST TWU
DENTON, Texas (Dec. 4) – Guard Lauren Hill’s jump shot at the final buzzer of overtime gave the Henderson State Lady Reddies a shocking 83-81 win over the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers on Monday night at Kitty Magee Arena in Denton.
Hill’s last second heroics were set up when Lady Reddie’s guard Samantha Anglin-Smith made two free throws to tie the game at 81 with just 1.6 seconds remaining in overtime. TWU attempted to put the ball in play under their own basket following the second made free throw by Anglin-Smith. Hill, however, stepped in front of TWU guard Keshia Bolds to intercept the Pioneers inbounds pass. She then gathered herself and released what would be the winning shot from just to the right of the free throw line. As the final horn sounded, Hill’s shot rattled around on the front of the rim before dropping through the net to give the Lady Reddies the dramatic victory.
Henderson State came into the game undefeated in six games this season and ranked fourth in the country in the USA Today/NCAA Division II Coaches Poll. Before the frantic finish, the Pioneers appeared to be on the verge of a stunning upset when TWU freshman post player Chelsea Cook’s left handed jump hook in the lane put TWU on top 81-79 with just 4.3 seconds showing on the clock.
However, on Henderson State’s ensuing possession, Anglin-Smith was fouled by the Pioneer’s Savannah Thompson as she dribbled the ball towards the TWU basket. Anglin-Smith then drained both free throws to set the stage for Hill.
Henderson State was fortunate to be in the overtime period. TWU held a three-point lead at 73-70 with 12 seconds remaining in regulation after sophomore guard Maggy Deweber hit two free throws. Henderson State then advanced the ball to the far left hand corner of the TWU end of the court. From there, senior guard Ashley Perry let fly a heavily contested three-point shot. Perry’s prayer was answered as the ball caromed off the backboard and into the goal to tie the game at 73.
TWU head coach Rene Hanebutt called the difficult defeat a learning experience.
“This was the first close game we have played in this season. And we were right there, holding a lead on the number four team in the country in the final seconds. But, when it came right down to it, we played not to lose instead of playing to win. They made the big plays down the stretch to come out on top. Even though we fell short tonight, my team should be proud of their effort. We’ll learn from this and get better down the road,” said Hanebutt.
Senior post player Margaret Wimbish was the Pioneers high scorer in the loss, collecting 21 points before fouling out midway through the second half. Sophomore guard Maggy Deweber contributed 20 points for TWU and Cook chipped in with a career-high 18.
Perry’s 25 points were the most in the game for any HSU (7-0, 0-0 in GSC West) player. Hill registered 18 points, and three other Lady Reddie players – Sierra Dawson (11), Samantha Smith (10), and Jeanna White (10) – finished with double-digit scoring totals.
TWU (3-3, 0-0 LSC in the LSC South) will now move on with three consecutive road games. This Thursday, December 7, the Pioneers will travel to Durant, Oklahoma to play the SESU Savage Storm. On Saturday, December 9, TWU will play at East Central, and then, on Saturday, Dec. 16 TWU will open Lone Star Conference South Division play with a game at Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Pioneers next home game will be on Thursday, December 21, when they host Texas A&M-Kingsville at 7:00 p.m.
For additional information, please contact the TWU Sports Information Office at (940) 898-2373.
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