Aggies sink Lobos in final seconds
Jennifer Schlott hit a pair of free throws with 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock to clinch USU’s second victory over New Mexico this season.
The foul shots marked the end of a frantic finish at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Wednesday. With just six seconds remaining in a tie game, Schlott drove the length of the court and drew a foul to ultimately end the contest, which featured 11 lead changes and nine tie scores.
“I was just trying to attack the basket, get something, make something happen,” Schlott said.
For the second time this season, New Mexico had no solution for Schlott. The senior guard, who burned the Lobos for 30 in a win at The Pit earlier this season, scored a game-high 33 and went a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line.
New Mexico’s last nine games have been decided by seven points or fewer. The Lobos are 2-7 in that span.
Makenlee Williams added 21 points for the Aggies, and according to Head Coach Jerry Finkbeiner, appears to be fully recovered from her leg injury suffered earlier this season.
“Mak the last two games now has started to be the Mak prior to her injury,” Finkbeiner said.
Coach Finkbeiner wasn’t the only one who noticed Williams’ impact Wednesday.
“Mak had a huge second half,” Schlott said. “She played great. That’s exactly what we need from her, that’s exactly what we expect from her.”
The win brings USU’s conference record to 6-10 with two games left to play this season before travelling to Las Vegas for the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
The Aggies’ final home game is at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Spectrum.
“I hope Cache Valley comes out,” Finkbeiner said. “It’s a senior class that I’m proud of and close to. Jen Schlott has put together a senior year that is almost for the ages. I hope people take advantage of that Saturday night and come out to see her last game here.”
– Logantjones@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @Logantj