Sweet As A Lemon: Game-Tying Buzzer Beater Leads to OT Victory

POCATELLO, Idaho – She called it the greatest shot of her life. It certainly came at the greatest moment for Idaho State as Jasmine Lemon's buzzer-beating off-balance jumper forced overtime and helped the Bengals to a crucial 87-74 victory over Montana State Saturday afternoon on the ICCU Court inside Reed Gym.

"It definitely wasn't for me to end up with that shot," Lemon said. "I heard the bench screaming shoot it shoot it. I was really calm when I got the ball. I just had to shoot it with some confidence and I did."

"We tried to run a lob play for Grace and Montana State did a good job of switching it," Head Coach Seton Sobolewski said. "We tried to slip in Apiphany on the back side and she wasn't quite open either so Jasmine was the only one open.  She hit a tough shot."

The game-tying shot from Lemon was part of her career-high 27 points and helped force the overtime where the Bengals dominated to collect the 13-point victory and end their four-game losing streak.

"I think she (Lemon) is really cherishing the moment," Sobolewski said of Lemon's recent play over the last few weeks. "She's trying to get the most out of whatever is left of her college career. Her attitude has been great, her effort has been great and her focus has really been there."

The Bengals fell behind by as many as 13 in the first-half but used a 14-1 spurt to cut into the deficit and end up trailing by just four at the half. 

The margin remained within two possessions or less in the second half as the two team traded baskets and the lead.

Montana State held a 68-66 advantage with under ten seconds to play.  The Bobcats Jackie Elliott rebounded the ISU miss and was fouled with just three seconds remaining. However, the MSU forward was whistled for a technical foul on the play as her elbow caught Anna Lee Policicchio.

The 'Cats made one of their two free-throws before Apiphany Woods connected on one of the two technical free-throws to keep the lead at two points in favor of the visitors.  Because of the technical foul, Idaho State retained possession under their own basket setting the stage for Lemon's heroics. 

Three other players scored in double-figures for ISU including Apiphany Woods (20 points, ten rebounds and five assists), Anna Lee Policicchio (13 points) and Rebecca Schrimpsher (12 points).

"Rebecca shot the ball really well," Sobolewski said. "I was really proud of her tonight."

Idaho State connected on a season-high nine three-pointers and recorded their second highest point total of the year.

"It wasn't perfect and we did a lot of silly stuff that youngsters do but I am glad we worked through  that and kept our enthusiasm in the right place," Sobolewski said. "Jasmine's shot to send it to overtime was huge momentum booster and really energized everybody."

The victory moves ISU into sole possession of seventh place in the Big Sky Conference standings with just three games left on the schedule. The top eight teams make the post-season tournament.

"Hopefully this gives us a little bit of momentum down the stretch," Sobolewski said.

ISU returns to action next Saturday afternoon when they host Weber State at 2 p.m. on the ICCU Court inside Reed Gym.  The Bengals will honor their two seniors (Rebecca Schrimpsher and Jasmine Lemon) in their final home game in an Idaho State jersey.

GAME NOTES
The game was part of the Think Pink and Play 4Kay movement.  Both teams wore various pink items as part of their uniforms. 15 breast cancer survivors were introduced as part of the Bengals' pre-game introductions.





BIG SKY CONFERENCE STANDINGS

School	Conf	Pct	Overall	Home	Away	Streak
Montana *	12-3	0.800	19-7	10-2	8-3	W2
Eastern Washington	10-4	0.714	17-8	10-2	6-6	W6
Sacramento State	10-5	0.667	12-14	7-2	5-12	W1
North Dakota	9-6	0.600	17-10	11-2	5-8	L1
Northern Colorado	9-6	0.600	15-11	9-4	5-7	W5
Northern Arizona	7-7	0.500	11-14	10-4	1-10	L2
Idaho State	7-8	0.467	12-14	8-5	3-8	W1
Idaho	6-8	0.429	12-13	6-4	5-9	W2
Montana State	6-9	0.400	12-14	8-3	3-11	L1
Weber State	6-9	0.400	11-15	7-8	4-6	L3
Southern Utah	5-9	0.357	12-12	9-4	3-7	L2
Portland State	1-14	0.067	3-23	2-10	1-13	L11