Feb. 27, 2003
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Pocatello, ID---Heidi Gifford scored a career-high 27 points, but a late 14-3 run by Portland State helped the Vikings overcome an 11-point Idaho State second lead as the Bengals were eliminated from postseason contention with a 65-64 loss in Big Sky Conference women's basketball action Thursday night at Reed Gymnasium.
Gifford, a junior from Las Cruces, NM, made 13-of-19 shots from the field to easily top her previous high of 11 points, set against Sacramento State last Saturday. She was one of just two Bengals to score in double figures. Freshman Halli Hickman scored 10 points.
It looked for 35 minutes as if Gifford's play, combined with a strong defensive effort by the Bengals, would be enough. The fall started with 4:52 left in the game after Laraine Skow hit a pair of free throws to give ISU a 61-51 lead. Sarah Hedgepeth scored on the Vikings next two possessions to cut the lead to six points.
Then with 3:26 left Nikki Petticrew hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to just three points. A pair of free throws by Jenna Washington on the next possession cut the lead to just one point. Washington followed that up on the next possession with a layup to put the Vikings ahead for the first time since midway through the first half at 62-61. Petticrew fouled Skow on the Bengals next possession and the junior hit one of two free throws to tie things at 62. Jane Gowans made a driving layup to put PSU up by two, but Gifford responded with a turnaround jumper in the lane to tie the score at 64 with just 43 seconds left.
ISU looked to have the final shot at victory when Washington dribbled the ball until the shot clock expired, giving ISU the ball with nine seconds left. But Tiffany Williams lost the ball off the inbounds pass and Gowans drove to the basket, drawing a controversial blocking foul with 0.7 seconds left. She made the first of her free throws and missed the second, but ISU had no time to put up a last second shot.
Hedgepeth a trio of Vikings in double figures with 13 points. Petticrew had 12 points and Carrie Spencer added 10 for the Vikings.
Idaho State dropped to 6-18 overall on the season and 2-10 in Big Sky Conference play. Portland State clinched a berth in conference tournament and improved to 11-13, 6-5. The Bengals will host Eastern Washington on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in Reed Gym.
