Idaho trailed Weber State for over 39 minutes during Wednesday’s quarterfinals of the Big Sky Conference women’s basketball tournament in Reno.
The Vandals were able to erase a 15-point deficit in the second half and force an overtime period in the closing seconds of regulation.
With an 83-83 tied game and just seven seconds remaining in overtime, freshman guard Taylor Pierce took control for the Vandals, nailing a turnaround 3-pointer as the clock expired to lift send Idaho to the semifinals.
“I’m just yelling at her, ‘Shoot it, shoot it!’” said Idaho head coach Jon Newlee of the game’s final play.
The entire bench shot out of their seats in disbelief that Pierce’s three sunk straight into the hole, right as the buzzer sounded.
The Vandal bench erupted in cheers and mobbed Pierce on the sideline as officials confirmed the 86-83 victory.
Newlee said the scramble in the final seconds was not a designed play that the team practiced.
“We just wanted to get some kind of look,” Newlee said. “I’m still breathing hard. You’ve got to give yourself a chance.”
The Vandals were led by major contributions from several key freshmen.
Freshman guard Mikayla Ferenz was placed in the starting lineup and finished as the game’s leading scorer with 29 points. Her total is the highest of any Idaho player this season.
Pierce contributed 15 points in the win, while senior post Ali Forde added 16. Senior guard Christina Salvatore led the Vandals in rebounds with 12.
Newlee said he told Salvatore before the game about her importance in the rebound battle.
“We need you on the glass,” Newlee said. “You need to come up big in other ways.”
Idaho began the game on a cold shooting streak.
A deep 3-pointer from Weber State guard Deeshyra Thomas sparked an offensive run for the Wildcats. Weber State ended the first quarter with a 24-15 lead over Idaho.
The Vandals erased much of the deficit in the second quarter but were unable to grab the lead.
Ferenz led an offensive comeback for Idaho by providing four treys.
Idaho entered halftime trailing 39-36.
Idaho initially began the third quarter struggling from the field. The Vandals snagged the lead with a 3-pointer from Ferenz, but Thomas responded with another trey for Weber State to regain an advantage.
Two free throws from senior post Renae Mokrzycki cut Idaho’s deficit to 56-54 at the end of the third quarter.
Forde began the fourth quarter in foul trouble, racking up four personal fouls. Newlee sat Forde until the final minutes of the period.
When Forde was substituted into the game with two minutes remaining, she scored five consecutive points for the Vandals. Ferenz built off Forde’s by scoring six points to tie the game at 76-76.
Thomas fouled out in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, finishing the game with 24 points. The guard scored 21 of her points during the second half.
Idaho spent overtime exchanging the lead with Weber State.
Wildcat guard Brittney Dunbar sunk a layup with 1:31 remaining to tie the game at 83-83.
Pierce missed a 3-pointer on the following possession and Weber State took a timeout after controlling the rebound.
The Wildcats attempted to run down the game clock and attempt a shot in the final seconds, but Forde blocked the attempt and sent the ball to Pierce.
The freshman weaved through the key, losing control of the ball momentarily. It briefly bounced out of her hands, but she controlled it just in time to force a desperation shot towards the hoop.
Newlee said he is not surprised the game ended so narrowly.
“Anything can happen in this tournament, everyone is so close,” Newlee said. “No surprise today.”
Idaho takes on Eastern Washington Friday in a semifinals matchup. The winner of Friday’s game will play in the Big Sky championship.
“It’s always a tough, physical battle with Eastern,” Newlee said Wednesday night. “We’ve got to go back and see what we can come up with tomorrow.”
Tess Fox can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @GoshJrissom