Jan. 30, 2010

Box Score | Photo Gallery

RUSTON - Jasmine Bendolph hit a game-tying three-point with eight seconds to play in regulation eventually sending Louisiana Tech to a 74-71 overtime win over Idaho Saturday night at the Thomas Assembly Center.

With Tech trailing 60-57 after two free throws by Shaena Kuehu with 17 seconds to play, Lady Techster head coach Teresa Weatherspoon called a timeout to set up the final play and her sophomore point guard came through in the clutch.

Bendolph took a pass from Shanavia Dowdell and buried the game-tying trey from 22-feet sending her team into the extra period as Idaho's Yinka Olorunnife missed a game-winning attempt at the buzzer.

"I give a lot of credit to Idaho," Weatherspoon said. "They played so well and really executed their game plan. We knew that they had been leaving (Bendolph) open at times during the game and we ran the play to perfection. Once Dowdell touched the ball at the elbow, they all collapsed around her and she found J.B for the shot.

"I was proud of the way our kids kept their composure down the stretch. We kept telling them if they would stay calm and focused, that we would give ourselves a chance and that's exactly what happened."

Tech (13-6, 4-3) built a nine-point first half lead at 27-18 on a layup by Dowdell with 4:52 to play, but then went scoreless the rest of the half as Idaho cut the advantage down to 27-23 at the half.

The Vandals (4-16, 2-5) were able to keep the game close due to their ability to keep the Lady Techsters off the offensive glass. Tech entered the game ranked No. 1 in the WAC in rebounding margin and offensive rebounds but Idaho - who was ranked last in rebounding margin - held Tech to only one offensive rebound the entire game.

Idaho came out in the second half of the game and built a six point lead at 41-35 on a three-pointer by Kanisha Bello at the 13:44 mark before the Lady Techsters answered with a 15-4 run over the next seven minutes to go up 50-45.

However, Tech went cold as once again Idaho answered. Charlotte Otero's two free throws with 28 seconds to play gave the Vandals a 58-54 advantage.

Senior guard Tiawana Pringle then gave Tech life, nailing a step-back three-pointer with 18 seconds to play while being fouled by Otero. Pringle stepped to the free throw line with Tech trailing 58-57 with a chance to tie the game but misfired on her free throw as Kuehu pulled down the defensive rebound and was fouled.

Kuehu made both, setting up Bendolph's heroics.

In overtime, Tech finally found its range from the free throw line. After making only 5-of-15 in regulation, the Lady Techsters hit 10-of-13 free throws in the five-minute extra period.

Although Idaho never led in overtime, the Vandals stayed close as the game wasn't decided until Bello missed a potential game-tying three-pointer with one second left as Dowdell pulled down the rebound as the buzzer sounded.

For the game, Tech hit 53 percent (28-53) of its field goals while Idaho converted on only 36 percent (25-70). The Vandals became the first WAC team this year to outrebound Tech, holding a 41-37 advantage on the boards.

Dowdell led the Lady Techsters with 22 points and 11 rebounds, her 12th double double - her sixth in seven league games.

Tarkeisha Wysinger, starting in place of the injured Whitney Jones, scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds while playing all 45 minutes. Bendolph added 13 points and Adrienne Johnson chipped in with 10 points.

Olorunnife led Idaho with 17 points while Kuehu and Rachele Kloke each scored 16 and Bello added 13 points.

Tech returns to action Wednesday night when they host Boise State at 7 p.m.