Box Score

NAMPA, Idaho – This time the final seconds favored the Crusaders.

Coco Gall knocked down a pair of late free throws then the Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team shut down Montana State Billings on a final possession, scoring an 86-85 win in Great Northwest Athletic Conference action Thursday night at the Johnson Sports Center.

"In a must-win situation against a tough, physical and very skilled Montana State Billings team, our team showed a lot of guts, focus and determination tonight, especially in the second half," said NNU head women's basketball coach Ryan Bragdon.

NNU previously had fallen three times this season to last-second shots by foes, including last Thursday in a 70-69 heartbreaker at Western Washington.

Things were very different against the Yellowjackets, though, as the Crusaders battled out of a 10-point hole in the second half and held on in a see-saw race to the finish.

"Our energy, toughness and execution in the second half made the difference tonight," Bragdon said.

"It was a fun game to be a part of, but it feels extra special being on this side of it after seeing so many other games go the other direction," Bragdon added.

Down 54-44 two minutes into the final session, NNU (6-17, 4-10 GNAC) used a 10-0 run capped by a Taylor Simmons layup to even the score.

From there, the teams traded the lead 11 times into the final minute until Coco Gall grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled.

Gall stepped to the charity strip and knocked down both free throws with less than 30 seconds left, putting NNU on top 86-85.

The Crusaders defense then stymied MSU Billings (12-11, 4-9) to secure the victory.

Simmons finished with 23 points, six steals and five assists for the Crusaders. Ellie Logan added 22 points, Gall scored 16 and Lexi Tubbs added 14 points and six rebounds for NNU, which scored a crucial victory as both teams are racing for the final spot in the six-team GNAC playoffs.

"We had some great individual performances tonight, but as always, it took the effort of every single player and their contributions, on and off the floor, to pull a game like this out," NNU's coach said.

The win ties NNU with the Yellowjackets in the win column as both sit one win back of Alaska and St. Martin's, who are each tied for sixth at 5-8 in GNAC play.