From the Dillon Tribune Examiner
A controversial basket by Judy Van Atta at, or after, the final buzzer Friday lifted College of Great Falk women over Western, 72-71, in the Frontier Conference playoff semi-final on the Straugh Gymnasium court.
A field goal by Western's Barb Green had boosted the Lady Bulldogs to a 71-70 advantage with just 17 seconds ^showing in the dramatic battle between the league's second and third place rivals.
As expected, Great Falls then went to Van Atta, the league's leading scorer, who fired a short jumper with three seconds left.
That shot missed and WMC's Barb Farmer momentarily had the rebound but was double-teamed by Van Atta and Debbie Silk. Van Atta came out of that malee with the ball and followed -with her game-winning shot.
One official appeared to signal no basket but his counterpart then approved the goal, triggering a wild demonstration by the crowd. Dillon police were summoned to escort the Havre and Great Falls referees from the local arena.
Official timer Bruce Schulz said the disputed shot ..."was definitely after the buzzer'' but added that he was not consulted by either of the game officials.
Prior to that point, Friday's matchup followed formats of previous tight battles between the rival coeds.
Western's inside-outside duo of Barb and Cindy Farmer shot the Lady Bulldogs to a 35-22 spread after 14 minutes before the Argos surged back within six, 40-34, at the break.
Van Atta, a superb six-foot senior, rallied Great F alls to a 49-44 lead with 15 minutes left.
Following deadlocks at 55, 64, and 67-all, Van Atta sent the visitors on top with a field goal at 1:14. Cindy Farmer reknotted the count at 69 with one-minute showing but Van Atta's free throw forged a 70-69 Argo edge at the 45-second mark.
Green answered with her clutch goal off a rebound to set the stage for Van Atta's closing heroics, which sent CGF, into playoff finals Monday against Northern Montana at Havre.
Van Atta was the game's, dominant figure with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Western got 17 counters from Cindy Farmer along with 16 each from Barb Farmer and Green.
The Lady Bulldogs won the brutal hoard battle by a 48-36 margin with Green grabbing 11 rebounds, aided by Barb Farmer's 10, plus 7 each from Molly Malone and Margaret Rose.
Western had previously defeated CGF 88-74 at Great Falls and 81-79 here while dropping a 100-97 overtime thriller on the Argo court. Friday's disputed loss concluded the WMC season with a 15-11 mark and a 9-6 second-place Frontier standing.
