This weekend’s battle between NIU and South Carolina had all the ingredients of a dramatic championship tournament game, but there was one problem.

With 29 seconds left and NIU on top 76-73, it looked as if the Huskies would taste the sweet success of victory by winning it’s second consecutive Fastbreak Fest Tournament. However, NIU was left with a sour taste.

USC’s Sherry David converted on her second free throw attempt to narrow the gap at 76-74, and Lisa Diaz (22 points) sunk an eight-footer with five seconds left to send the game into overtime, knotted at 76.

As NIU opened up with three consecutive points, the 1,173 Chick Evans Field House fans rose to the occasion with a thunderous roar, but were soon put back in their seats after USC’s eight successive points for an 84-79 lead. NIU could not counter the setback and finished three points shy for an 87-84 loss.

This marked the first loss for the NIU women’s team (2-1), and placed them second in the tournament. Although NIU never could have made it this far without defeating Ball State in Saturday’s first-round action 97-82, the Huskies were still upset about the defeat.

“I think it was a war,” said Huskie coach Jane Albright. “I think it was one of the best basketball games I have ever been associated with. The two teams couldn’t have played any harder.”

It was a very physical game for both teams, especially close to the basket.

“You have got to give both teams credit for playing a 45 minute war,” said Tournament MVP Beth Hunt (33 points, 18 rebounds). “It was the most physical game I ever played in.”

NIU’s leading rebounder Tammy Hinchee (13), who notched 17 points, agreed with Hunt on the games intensity.

“I was dead tired at the end. She (Hunt) is a very physical player. She has got a lot of nice moves,” said Hinchee.

USC coach Nancy Wilson believed neither team should have to lose.

“I just thought it was an excellent game. It was fun to coach in this kind of game and play against this kind of team and they’re so aggressive. It’s one that you wish neither team could lose. There was no loser on the floor tonight. Both teams executed very well in tough clutch situations. It came down to one team having the ball at the right time at the end. It very easily could have been the other way,” said Wilson.

Both coaches felt that USC’s domination over rebounds (54-38) proved to be very critical.

“I thought we did come up with the big rebounds, and when they (NIU) did miss a couple of shots down that very last stretch we didn’t allow the second shot. If they would have gotten those second shots, I think it (the game) would have gone differently,” said Wilson.

“We got outrebounded. That was our problem tonight,” said Albright, who felt Carol Owens’ (20 points) two quick fouls affected her aggressiveness. “I think that took her off the boards. I think she’s a much better rebounder than we saw tonight. She did a nice job.”

Another key was NIU’s inability to rattle USC. The Gamecocks kept coming back in the see-saw battle, said Albright.

Although it was a tough loss for the Huskies, Albright complimented numerous players on their performances.

“I think Denise Dove did an excellent job assistwise (9). She played a lot of pressure on the ball (three steals),” said Albright. “Lisa Foss (28 points) came back after a horrendous shooting night (6 points) and really just stuck it in their face at a time when we had to have a couple buckets. I think mentally she’s a really tough kid. She did a really nice job executing. Tammy Hinchee was just total all-around on our team playing like you couldn’t ask anymore from her.

“I’m extremely proud of my team. I’m proud of the program. I’m very saddened that we couldn’t come up with a win because we should have been able to do that,” added Albright.

In NIU’s win over Ball State, Hinchee led all scorers with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Owens tallied 24 points with her 16 rebounds.

Albright also complimented the efforts of Dove (12 points), Dee Dee Jeske and Kris Weis (14).

“(BSU) is as good of a coached team as I have ever seen. I think we played really well. Rebounding was a big factor in the game,” said Albright. “We got a lot of weapons. I think they (Owens and Hinchee) were super. They worked hard together and showed a lot of leadership.”

BSU coach Ethel Gregory commented on NIU’s style of play.

“NIU is a very good team. They’re definitely a top-20 caliber. I’m really impressed with her whole squad. I’m proud of our team, too, because they didn’t give up,” said Gregory.

BSU finished third in the tournament when they pounded Wright State 85-49 on Sunday.