LEXINGTON, Ky. – ETSU saw its run at a Women’s Basketball Invitational (WBI) championship slip in the final moments of a tightly-contested game inside the Clive M. Beck Center in Lexington, Ky., as the Bucs fell 57-53 against New Mexico State in the semifinal round.
 
With the loss, ETSU (24-10) will finish their magical season in the third-place game set for tomorrow at 5 p.m. against the loser of Cal Baptist (20-13) and Georgia Southern (21-8) later tonight. Meanwhile, New Mexico State (18-16) will play the winner of that game for the title at 7:30 p.m.
 
In a game that saw 12 lead changes, New Mexico State had a six-point lead heading into the final 30 seconds. A pass outside from Nevaeh Brown (Charlotte, N.C.) to Courtney Moore (Gainesville, Fla.) in the corner pulled the Bucs back within three at 54-51.
 
After NMSU made two free throws at the other end, Brown sank a quick layup with 14 seconds to go to make it 56-53. On the inbound right after that, Brown stole it away and the Bucs regained possession with momentum on their side. Unfortunately for the Blue & Gold, a crucial shot fell off the mark and the Aggies were able to ice the game.
 
In the effort, sophomore Jakhyia Davis (Knoxville, Tenn.) had her third double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds — both team-highs. Moore and Jiselle Thomas (Norwalk, Ohio) each added 12 points on the day.
 
The Bucs were more efficient on the day, shooting 19-41 for a respectable field goal clip of 46 percent. Meanwhile, the Aggies took advantage of more opportunities from the field and at the line with 20-58 shooting (34 percent) and a 16-23 showing at the charity stripe.
 
ETSU — who set a new single-season school record yesterday with a win over FIU — will look to add one more to that total tomorrow at 5 p.m. The opponent will be decided in the 7:30 p.m. game between CBU and Georgia Southern.
 
BRACKET UPDATE
 
Round 1 – Friday, March 17
ETSU 81, FIU 56
New Mexico State 51, UIC 41
Cal Baptist 96, North Dakota 79
Georgia Southern 69, NIU 58
 
Round 2 – Saturday, March 18
FIU 68, UIC 65 — Consolation
New Mexico State 57, ETSU 53 — Winner’s Bracket
North Dakota 102, NIU 99 (OT) — Consolation
Cal Baptist vs. Georgia Southern — 7:30 p.m. — Winners Bracket
 
Round 3 — Sunday, March 19
UIC vs. NIU — 12:00 p.m.                   7th place game
UND vs. FIU — 2:30 p.m.                    Consolation Final
ETSU vs. CBU/GS — 5:00 p.m.           3rd place game
NMSU vs. CBU/GS — 7:30 p.m.        Championship Game