VERMILLION, S.D. -- Tiffany Moe’s jumper as the clock expired lifted Minnesota State University to a 64-62 victory over Wayne State College in the first semifinal matchup of the NCAA Division II North Central Region women’s basketball tournament.
“Wow. That was a great basketball game, two teams battled hard to the end,” said MSU head coach Lori Fish. “Tiff (Tiffany Moe) hit the big shot, I’m proud of this team for battling hard all year and accomplishing some special things. She (Moe) knocks that shot down on a regular basis in practice – she’s only a sophomore.”
With the game-winning basket, Moe was one of two Mavericks (23-8) to score 15 points in the game. She was 6-of-14 shooting from the floor. Heather Johnson also notched 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the floor, including 3-of-5 from behind the arc. Liz Trauger posted 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
“That was the play (game-winning shot) that was drawn up,” said Moe. “Like in practice, I was just told to go at it, and I did. It is the second buzzer beater in my career, had one at Augustana last year.”
Jodie Boss led Wayne State (22-10) in scoring with a game and career-high 22 points. She also posted seven boards and seven blocked shots. Laquisha Cook had 16 points. Boss and Cook combined to shoot 14-of-20 from the floor.
“Tough way to end a season with a buzzer beater, I think we lost three or four of those at the buzzer this year and it doesn’t get easier,” said WSC head coach Ryun Williams. “Their quickness hurt us and disrupted our offensive style and defensively they gave us fits, they were hard to guard, they got out and ran and got easy baskets. We could’ve folded, but they were resilient and didn’t give in to Mankato’s runs. We were proud of their effort.”
With the win, Minnesota State advances to the North Central Region championship game where they will face the winner of South Dakota/Nebraska-Kearney. That game will be played on Monday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the DakotaDome on the campus of The University of South Dakota.
