LAS VEGAS, Nev.—UTRGV edged CSU Bakersfield 73-72 in double overtime in the semifinals of the Western Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament Friday afternoon in the Orleans Arena. 

WAC MVP Shawnte' Goff scored 13 of UTRGV's 27 points in the first quarter as the Vaqueros took a C27-20 after one. The Roadrunners switched from a player-to-player defense to a zone which slowed down the Vaqueros. CSUB limited UTRGV to 3-of-16 shooting in the second quarter as the 'Runners drew to within one, 34-33, at halftime.

CSUB took a 40-39 lead with 7:32 to play in the third quarter when Erika Williams converted a layup. The Roadrunners turned the ball over on six consecutive possessions which led to a 46-40 UTRGV lead at the 3:45 mark of the third. Batabe Zempare broke a 5+ minute scoring drought with 2:48 to go in the period. A pair of Erika Williams baskets tied the score at 46 before a Goff three-pointer put the Vaqueros back into the lead. An Addi Walters free throw made it 49-47 before Sims added a free throw of her own to make it 49-48. A Walters three-pointer rattled up and in at third quarter buzzer returned the lead to the 'Runners 51-49.

Rickell Preston's three-point play to begin the fourth quarter keyed a 12-2 run that created an eight-point Vaqueros' advantage. CSUB would not score for the first 3:20 of the fourth quarter. With CSUB down 61-57, Zempare scored six consecutive points including a pair of free throws with 33 seconds to go in regulation.

UTRGV called timeout, advancing the ball to half court. Goff drove the lane, missing a short jumper. The Vaqueros got the offensive rebound and called their final timeout with 15 seconds left. UTRGV created a set play for Goff who drove the lane, passing it to Bernesha Peters who missed a three-point attempt. The ball went out of bounds with the play going under review. The WAC officiating crew awarded the Vaqueros the ball with 7.4 seconds.  Goff again got the ball, she drove the lane, dishing to Hilda Kjartansdottir who had an open 15-foot jumper, but she missed. The ball was knocked around as time expired, leading to overtime.

Zempare scored 26 seconds into overtime. Unfortunately for CSUB, Zempare would foul out with 1:54 to go, leading to a Laura Van Tilburg layup that tied the score 14 seconds later.  CSUB regained the lead when Tylinn Carter hit a 17-foot jumper on the ensuing possession. The 'Runners forced Peters to miss mid-range jumper. Shannon took in the rebound and brought the ball across half court to call a timeout. CSUB turned the ball over with 28.2 seconds, leading to a timeout from UTRGV. Alyssa Shannon fouled Idil Turk on a scramble at midcourt. She made both free throws tying the game for the seventh time at 67.

CSUB called timeout with 19 seconds left, getting the ball at half court. A Shannon jumper fell short at the buzzer, sending the game into only the second ever 2-OT game in WAC Tournament history.

Carter fouled Goff 33 seconds into the sixth period of the day, but she missed both attempts from the charity stripe. CSUB's Brittany Sims was fouled at 3:06, making 1-of-2 free throw attempts. With the 'Runners up by one, Tristan Murphy tied the score at 68 with a free throw 33 seconds later. Murphy missed the second free throw attempt which would result in four Vaquero misses and four offensive rebounds for UTRGV. On the final attempt, the Vaqueros' Kjartansdottir fouled Sims who rebounded a miss. Sims converted both tries with 1:46 to play.

UTRGV took the lead for good at 71-70 when Turk hit a three-pointer deep in the right corner the next time down. Carter's responded with a layup at the 54 second mark. Goff would turn the ball over, setting up a chance for CSUB to take the lead.

With eight seconds remaining, Shannon drove the lane, missing a layup. Peters got the rebound, made an outlet pass to Preston who converted a layup in transition. Down by one, the Roadrunners called their final timeout with 5.9 seconds to go. CSUB worked the ball to Williams who drove the lane, but could not convert a layup. UTRGV got the rebound and after calling a timeout with 0.1 seconds, inbounded the ball for the victory.

CSUB held the Vaqueros to 29.9% shooting (26-of-87) for the game, but UTRGV returned the favor, holding the 'Runners to 31.5% from the field (23-of-73). UTRGV outrebounded CSUB 60-58, 31-23 on the offensive glass.

Goff led UTRGV (19-12) with 24 points. Kjartansdottir posted a double-double of 10 points and 16 rebounds. Preston scored eight points and had 10 rebounds. Zempare recorded her 33rd career double-double with a career high 25 points and 16 rebounds. Walters would score 15 while Carter added 12.

UTRGV will play NM State in the finals of the tournament on Saturday. CSUB ends the season with 12-19 record after making their third consecutive WAC Tournament semifinal appearance.

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