West Texas A&M’s remarkable run in Bartlesville is over.
After nine straight wins and three LSC Championship titles, the Lady Buffs were ousted in Friday’s quarterfinal round by Texas Woman’s University, 57-56.
The Pioneers used a driving layup by Jessica Hanna to take the one-point lead in the final 17 seconds of play. Opting not to take a timeout, WT got the ball to South Division Player of the Year Jamie Simmons in the block. But swarmed by TWU defenders, Simmons dribbled the ball off her foot and out of bounds with 1.7 seconds remaining. After an inbounds pass, the Pioneers ran out the clock, giving WT it’s first-ever loss in Bartlesville.
For TWU, which improves to 20-10, the Pioneers advance to Friday night’s semifinal round (8:30 p.m.) against the winner of Northeastern State-Abilene Christian.
Hanna hit a huge go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:40 to play, giving TWU a 55-52 lead. West Texas responded with a layup and foul for Aly Sherman. But Sherman missed the free throw, keeping the Pioneers in front. But it didn’t last long, after a TWU miss, Sherman put the Lady Buffs ahead with a layup with 40 seconds to play.
After two timeouts, the Pioneers responded behind Hanna, whose game-winning shot assured there will be a new winner for the 2011 LSC Championship on the women’s side.
Hanna led all scorers with 18 points, including the crucial five in the last two minutes. Tabbatha Thurmond added 14 while Taja Guerin grabbed 12 rebounds.
For the Lady Buffs, whose season will likely end with a 17-11 record, Simmons led the way with 16 points and 10 boards. Sherman scored 10 and Ashley Leven picked up 12 boards.
The win for TWU is a remarkable turnaround from a 35-point loss to the Lady Buffs back on Dec. 9.
TEXAS WOMAN’S NOTES
* The win marks the first by any team over West Texas A&M while the tournament has been played in Bartlesville, Okla., snapping a nine-game winning streak over three seasons by the Lady Buffs. The Pioneers improved to 4-8 in Lone Star Conference Tournament contests, having made it to the tournament in the last two of head coach Beth Jillson's four seasons.
* With the win Texas Woman's improved to 20-10 and set a new school single-season record for wins. The Pioneers are looking to move up in the regional rankings after being tabbed at No. 10 in Wednesday's poll.
* TWU became the first team to earn an upset at the 2011 LSC Tournament as the North-No. 3 Pioneers knocked off the South-No. 2 Lady Buffs. In previous tournament action, favorites Central Oklahoma and Tarleton State both earned victories.
* The Pioneers certainly improved since their first meeting with West Texas A&M that saw the Lady Buffs claim a 35-point win, 80-45, in Denton.
* Taja Guerin led all players with a season-best 12 rebounds, her first double-digit rebounding effort of the season. Jessica Hanna (18) and Tabbatha Thurmond (14) both reached double figures in scoring for the Pioneers.
WEST TEXAS A&M NOTES
West Texas A&M had never lost in Bruin Fieldhouse. The Lady Buffs were 9-0 heading into Wednesday’s contest in Bartlesville, Okla. The last WTAMU loss in the LSC tournament came in the championship game at Texas A&M-Commerce on March 3, 2007 – the last year the conference tournament was held on campuses.
The Lady Buffs are 14-5 all-time in the first round of the LSC tournament. The last time WTAMU lost in the first round was to Southeastern Oklahoma (86-70 in overtime) on Feb. 26, 2002.
Jamie Simmons finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds to tally her 10th double-double of the season.