No time on the clock, tied 80-all, game on the line, first place at stake, and 2,405 fans quietly anticipating the two biggest free throws of the night.

Playground fantasies turned into reality for NIU women’s basketball forward Cindy Conner Thursday night at Chick Evans Field House. With all eyes focused on Lisa Foss’ attempt to become NIU’s all-time leading scorer, Conner stole the show.

The sophomore, playing in her first season after sitting out due to Proposition 48 rules, shattered Wisconsin-Green Bay’s dreams of first place as she connected on the first of two charity tosses sending the Phoenix back to Wisconsin with a heartbreaking 81-80 loss.

“Yeah, I was nervous,” Conner said. “I figured that if I hit the first one, the pressure would be off and I wouldn’t have to worry about the second one. But I was more mad that I missed the easy lay-up in the first place.”

Conner was so caught up in the emotional victory that she actually couldn’t describe the final seconds of the triumph. With the game deadlocked at 80 and the clock reading 0:07 to go, Conner shot a 16-footer wide of the rim. UW-GB rebounded, but Conner stepped in front of the outlet pass. As she proceeded to shoot the lay-up, UW-GB’s Kimberly Wood committed the crucial foul as time elapsed.

“I can’t say we worked on that play a lot,” NIU coach Jane Albright said. “But it certainly was the biggest steal that I’ve ever been associated with.”

Not only did Conner sink the game-winning bucket, but the six-foot forward played the half of her young career. Conner scored 15 points in the second period alone en route to her game-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. And if that wasn’t enough, Conner blocked four shots and added a couple of assists.

Not to take anything away from Lisa Foss though. Foss needed eight points to break Carol Owens’ all-time mark and she responded with 17 points. But, the history-setting point didn’t come until that second half with 18:28 remaining. Foss, only 5-of-19 for the evening, sank two free throws to bypass the mark.

Despite freshman Angela Lockett’s 12 first-half points, the Huskies still trailed at the intermission by two baskets, 45-41.

With the 22nd-straight North Star Conference victory, NIU (14-4) moves to 7-0 in the NSC and sole possession of first place.