The UAA women's basketball team got the bounce-back game it needed Saturday, although it came with plenty of drama and uncertainty.
Two nights after losing by six points to nationally ranked Northwest Nazarene, the Seawolves rebounded with an 82-80 squeaker over Central Washington in Ellensburg, Wash.
The game featured seven ties and eight lead changes. The Seawolves broke the final tie with Kylie Burns' jumper with 41 seconds left and got what proved to be the winning points on Christina Davis' free throws with seven seconds left.
Central Washington made it a two-point game with a bucket in the final second.
"A little too thrilling for me," UAA coach Ryan McCarthy said in a phone interview.
Burns and Alli Madison each scored 19 points for UAA, which improved to 10-2 overall and 3-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Thursday's 86-80 loss to Northwest Nazarene -- McCarthy's alma mater and the school he coached at before coming to UAA last season -- remains UAA's only loss this season to another NCAA Division II team.
"I thought we did a really good job of showing character down the stretch," McCarthy said. "Kylie made eight points that were real big, and Jenna (Buchanan) came up with a clutch 3-pointer."
Buchanan's shot, with 4:15 left, lifted UAA to a 75-73 lead. Burn followed with a 3-pointer at 3:21 to give UAA a 78-73 lead with 3:21 to go, but Central Washington didn't go quietly. The Wildcats tied it 78-78 on Jasmine Parker's traditional three-point play with 1:22 left.
Davis, who was scoreless until she hit her big free throws at the end, took over at point guard when Kiki Robertson fouled out. She assisted on Burns' game-tying shot and then drew a foul to earn a trip to the foul line.
"I thought Christina did a very good job filling in down the stretch," McCarthy said. "The free throws were a one-and-one, if she misses the front of that, we're probably in overtime."
Robertson finished with eight points, four steals and four assists before fouling out. Jessica Madison added 16 points on 5 of 9 shooting.
Central (5-7, 0-4) got a big game from Courtney Johnson, who buried six 3-pointers on her way to 27 points. Parker hauled down 18 rebounds and Ally Schmitt dished 15 assists for the Wildcats.
Reach Beth Bragg at bbragg@adn.com or 257-4335.
UAA (82) — J. Madison 5-9 4-4 16, Burns 5-10 6-10 19, Wright 3-4 0-0 6, A. Madison 8-19 3-4 19, Robertson 3-9 2-2 8, Hutchins 0-0 0-0 0, Buchanan 1-4 0-0 3, Davis 0-5 2-2 2, Devine 1-5 2-2 4, Craft 2-5 1-2 7. Totals 28-70 20-26 82.
CENTRAL WASHINGTON (80) — Johnson 9-17 3-3 27, Moser 4-7 4-4 12, Parker 1-7 1-1 3, Schmitt 2-3 3-4 7, VanDyke 7-21 2-3 18, Burke 0-3 0-0 0, Kramer 0-3 0-0 0, Shine 0-3 1-2 1, Locker 3-4 1-1 8, Matheson 1-2 2-4 4. Totals 27-70 17-22 80.
UAA 41 41— 82
Central Washington 36 44 — 80
3-point goals — UAA 6-12 (J. Madison 2-3, Burns 3-4, A. Madison 0-1, Robertson 0-2, Buchanan 1-1, Devine 0-1). Central Washington 9-26 (Johnson 6-12, Schmitt 0-1, VanDyke 2-8, Burke 0-3, Kramer 0-1, Locker 1-1). Rebounds — UAA 41 (Wright 7, Craft 7), Central 50 (Parker 14). Total fouls — UAA 21, Central 19. Technical fouls — UAA team, Central Washington team. Fouled out — Wright, Craft. Assists — UAA 10 (Robertson 4), Central . Turnovers — UAA 16 (Burns 3, Roberston 3), Central. Blocks — UAA 4 (Burns 3), Central. Steals — UAA 14 (A. Madison 4, Robertson 4). A — 245. Officials — Landro, Duncan, Hollingshad.
By BETH BRAGG