Apparently, the University of Puget Sound women’s basketball team enjoys the heat.
Not the 85-degree Hawaiian winter-vacation type, but the one felt in the pressure-cooker moments of close games – especially after blowing big leads.
If the Loggers fretted about being extended into overtime, they did not show it, making 13 of 16 free throws in the extra session to finally put Pacific Lutheran away, 65-58, at Olson Auditorium.
All 13 of the Loggers’ overtime points came from the free-throw line, but that was fine with coach Loree Payne and her group.
“We haven’t always shot that well with free throws,” said UPS guard Kelsey McKinnis, who made 5 of 6 attempts in overtime. “Let’s just say Coach draws up a great practice plan with lots of them.”
The Loggers did so many things to be proud of early in the game: They put the clamps on PLU’s Samantha Potter, one of the best interior threats in the Northwest Conference. They held the Lutes scoreless for more than 10 minutes in the first half. They appeared poised, relaxed and confident.
After halftime, when McKinnis drilled a corner 3-pointer to cap a second half-opening stretch in which UPS scored on four of its first six possessions, the Loggers had a comfortable 39-23 advantage with 14:30 to go.
Yet, UPS (8-6, 4-1 in NWC) let up – and the Lutes (4-10, 1-4) came storming back.
“This team … needs to know how to put people away,” Payne said. “This is the closest we get right now (to doing it).”
PLU tried setting higher screens, which extended the UPS defense – and opened inside lanes for Potter.
Potter tallied 13 of her game-high 29 points in the final 6:43, aiding a frantic Lutes run. PLU’s Katelyn Smith tied the game at 54 by making one of two free throws with 55.4 seconds left.
“We are playing harder than we’ve played all season … and we focused on defense (against UPS),” PLU coach Kelly Robinson said. “We forgot about offense until the second half.”
After Amanda Forshay air-balled a baseline jumper for the Loggers with 33 seconds remaining, PLU had a chance for the victory in regulation. The Loggers forced a desperation 25-foot shot from Andi Adams, and after Potter retrieved the rebound, UPS’ Jocelyn Riordan knocked it out of her hands to force the extra period.
Once there, the Loggers regained control.
“Never get nervous,” McKinnis said with a wry smile. “Never.”
Todd Milles: 253-597-8442 todd.milles@thenewstribune.com
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.