The Basics
Score: No. 4 Montana Western 78 – No. 1 Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) 71 (OT)
Record: UMW (29-4), FH (32-4)
Location: Rimrock Auto Arena at Metra Park - Billings, Mont. 

With 40 seconds remaining in the game, Freed-Hardeman (FHU) held a six point lead and looked like they were going to return to their second straight national championship game. The Bulldogs and the large crowd in red and black seem almost stunned that UMW's impressive season was about to end. 

" We were dead in the water." head coach Lindsay Woolley said. 

The Bulldogs almost magically chipped away as FHU made free-throws down the stretch. 2.1 seconds was all that remained and the Bulldogs were down 66-63. 

Then Bri happened.

Shannon Worster found Bri who hit a step back corner trey at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. 

The shot heard round Montana sent the partisan crowd into a frenzy, nearly taking the roof off the Metra. 

"They never stopped fighting." added Woolley. 

The Bulldogs carried that momentum into the extra session. Cierra Lamey took the opening tip and converted a three-point play and the Bulldogs never looked back. 

"To get the game to overtime is one thing," Woolley said, "But then to execute like they did in overtime was unreal."

The Bulldogs led for a majority of the game, before a sluggish third quarter allowed FHU to climb back and take the lead. The inside presence of Haylee Croom  (32 points) seemed to be unstoppable, but the stellar defense by Britt Cooper Darby Schye and Mesa King contained the threat late and in OT. The Lions couldn't get shots to fall as the Bulldogs pulled away to head to the programs first national championship game. 

• Brianna King scored a game-high 39 points, and pulled down seven rebounds. 
• Cierra Lamey recorded a 14 point 12 rebound double-double. 
• Haylee Croom scored 32 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead the Lady Lions.
• Carrie Hatchel recorded a 14 point 10 assist double-double for Freed-Hardeman.

Coach Woolley's Thoughts
"What a feeling! I'm so happy for these young women and can't wait for what tomorrow will bring."

Inside the Box Score

• Bri King now holds the UMW single season scoring record with 734 points this season. She passed Bobbi Suhr's mark of 709.
• The Bulldogs were were being outscored in the paint at the half 18-10. They out scored the Lions 18-6 in the second half and overtime. 

Up Next

• The Bulldogs will play three-seed Oklahoma City for the NAIA National Championship at 7 p.m. tomorrow. 
• The Stars of OCU beat the Bulldogs two years ago in the second round on a buzzer beater on their way to a national title.