Sacramento State Buzzer-Beater Stings Bobcats

Saturday, February 11

Bozeman, MT

2:05 p.m.

Montana State University

SACRAMENTO STATE

Senior Katie Bussey

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

2/11/2012 5:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball

It only makes sense that a game that featured 18 lead changes and 16 ties be decided at the buzzer by the team that had the ball last.

By: Tom Schulz

It only makes sense that a game that featured 18 lead changes and 16 ties be decided at the buzzer by the team that had the ball last.

That's exactly what happened as Sacramento State's Fantasia Hilliard went coast-to-coast with 5.7 seconds left, hitting a running layup from the right-side at the buzzer, to give the Hornets a 77-76 win over Montana State, Saturday afternoon in Worthington Arena.

“It was an unfortunate end to game for us,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “Defensively, I thought we struggled. Offensively, you have to give Sacramento State credit, they didn't let us run what we wanted.”

After a see-saw first half, it appeared as if Montana State (16-9, 8-5) was starting to pull away in the waning moments of the opening period. Senior Katie Bussey tied the all-time Big Sky Conference three-point record with a triple, and followed by an Ashley Albert jumper, gave the Bobcats a 36-30 lead. Alle Moreno hit a runner at the buzzer and MSU entered intermission with a four-point cushion.

Sacramento State (9-17, 4-9) opened the second half hitting a barrage of three-pointers paced by Moreno with three. The Hornets took their largest lead of the game on a Hilliard jumper, which pushed the margin to 50-42 with 16:10 remaining.

MSU evened the score at 55-all following a 13-5 run highlighted by five points from Rachel Semansky.

The lead would change hands five times down the stretch and a pair of free throws from MSU's Kalli Durham with 59-seconds left gave the Bobcats a 76-75 advantage. Neither team would score in the final minute until Hilliard's basket at the buzzer.

For the game, the Bocbats had three players in double-figures, led by Bussey with 20, Semansky 19, and Albert 14.

MSU also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Sacramento State 54-37. The Bobcats were led under the glass by Semansky and Jackie Elliott with nine and eight rebounds, respectively.

The Hornets were led by Kylie Kuhns with 20 points and 14 rebounds.