Lady Lions lose 73-71 heartbreaker to Utah State

HAMMOND, La. – Kaylin Randhawa hit the game-winning three with three seconds left to help Utah State rally past Southeastern Louisiana University for a 73-71 victory in nonconference women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon at the University Center.

The Lady Lions (2-4) led throughout the contest, but the visiting Aggies (3-3) completed the comeback thanks to 13 three-point field goals.

Hailey Giaratano led Southeastern with 23 points, while Caitlyn Williams posted a double-double for SLU with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Alexius Horne and Cierria Cunningham each dished out four assists, while Horne also finished with a team0high three steals.

Shyla Latone paced USU with 23 points, while Randhawa finished with 18 points in the contest. Adryana Quezada led the Aggies with seven rebounds, while Faith Brantley dished out seven assists.

Southeastern led by as many as 12 in the second half, but Latone’s shooting performance kept the Aggies in it. With the game tied, 70-70, Giaratano drew a foul and went to the line with 9.4 seconds remaining.

Giaratano split a pair at the stripe and USU had one last chance. Brantley pushed the ball into the front court and found a wide-open Randhawa for a three from the corner to give the Aggies their first lead since early in the opening period.

Southeastern had one last opportunity, but Cunningham’s shot from well beyond half court fell short. It was the second straight narrow loss for the Lady Lions, who dropped a 54-52 decision to UL Lafayette on Wednesday.

Southeastern will play its next two games on the road. The trip starts on Wednesday with a 6:30 p.m. game at TCU. Wednesday’s contest in Fort Worth, Texas can be seen on ESPN+.

Utah State 73 (3-3)
Hawthorne 3-4 1-1 7, Stafford 1-5 4-4 6, Brantley 1-4 0-0 3, Mensah 2-5 2-2 7, Randhawa 6-13 3-3 18, Mendazona 0-2 0-0 0, Quezada 2-3 2-2 6, Harris 0-2 0-0 0, Wikstrom 1-3 0-0 3, Latone 7-16 2-2 23. Totals 23-57 14-14 73.

Southeastern 71 (2-4)
Carrier 0-4 0-0 0, Williams 5-10 1-1 11, Kelley 2-5 0-0 4, Ducksworth 0-4 2-2 2, Giaratano 9-11 4-6 23, Cunningham 2-3 0-0 4, Harvey 3-9 0-0 8, Brown 3-4 2-2 8, Horne 3-6 0-0 6, Bradford 0-0 0-0 0, Bell 2-4 1-2 5. Totals 29-60 10-13 71.

End of 1st Quarter – SLU 15, USU 7. Halftime – SLU 32, USU 23. End of 3rd Quarter – SLU 54, USU 47. 3-point goals – USU 13-34 (Latone 7-15, Randhawa 3-6, Mensah 1-3, Brantley 1-2, Wikstrom 1-2, Stafford 0-3, Harris 0-2, Mendazona 0-1), SLU 3-11 (Harvey 2-6, Giaratano 1-2, Carrier 0-3). Technical Fouls – None. Fouled Out – None. Rebounds – USU 28 (Quezada 8), SLU 38 (Williams 10). Assists – USU 14 (Brantley 7), SLU 16 (Cunningham, Horne 4). Total Fouls – USU 18, SLU 15. A – 400.

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