When the game is on the line, don't give Pacific point guard
Rilee Price any space behind the 3-point arc.
Willamette found that out the hard way Tuesday night as Price knocked down one game-tying 3 at the end of regulation and then another in the final seconds of overtime to propel the Boxers to a 75-64 victory in double overtime.
"Rilee is an experienced guard and a leader for our team," Pacific head coach
Alecia Parker said. "I'm proud of her for demanding the ball and making those two huge shots."
For much of the night, the Boxers didn't look like they would have a chance for any late game heroics as Willamette extended its lead to 46-31 with 9:35 remaining in the fourth period.Â
Down 10 points with 4:09 to go, Pacific stepped up its defensive pressure to go on a 9-0 run and get within 49-48 with 29 seconds remaining.
Tied at 50-50, Willamette's Carolyn Ho made a 3-point play to give the Bearcats a 53-50 lead with 10 seconds to go. Price, who tried to take a charge on the play, but was called for the defensive foul, then made her first game-tying 3 with 5 seconds remaining.
Elyse Waldal knocked down a 3-pointer to give Willamette a 61-59 lead with 23 seconds remaining in the first overtime. However, the Bearcats gave Pacific life after going 1-for-2 from the free throw line with 17 seconds to go. Price then made her second 3-pointer with 2 seconds left on the clock to send the game to a second overtime.
Willamette scored first in the second overtime period. But the Boxers answered with a 10-0 run to improve to 4-1 in the Northwest Conference.
Price finished with 19 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Alexis Intong recorded a double-double of 14Â points and 10 rebounds.
Brilie Kovaloff added 13 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Emily Holsan finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
"I'm really proud of my team," Parker said. "First half, they didn't show up ready to go, but they never quit and flipped the switch in the second half to het it done. Across the board, everyone chipped in and it was an awesome team win."
Next, Pacific plays at Pacific Lutheran on Saturday at 4 p.m.Â
For the latest information on Pacific Athletics, make sure to check out GoBoxers.com. You can also find the Boxers on social media at @GoBoxers onÂ
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