LEWISTON, Idaho – The ball did not seem to be falling in the Warriors' favor to open Saturday's Frontier Conference matchup between the No. 25 Lewis-Clark State Women's Basketball team and the Providence Argonauts. After the Argos busted out with 20 unanswered points, the Warriors kicked their game into high gear and fought all the way to clinch a 61-60 victory. In the second-straight game that was decided in the final minute, Abby Farmer scored the go-ahead three-point play for LC State.
 
"I knew going in that we had to get a shot up since there was only eight seconds left so you have to be confident and know that your teammates are always there for you," Farmer said, "and at the end of the day you just have to get to the rim."
 
Farmer's basket with five seconds to play tied the game, and the final free throw put the Warriors in front.
 
"At the end of the day we've all worked so hard on our free throws and shot many in our careers, so at the end of the day it's just another free throw," Farmer said.
 
Kiara Burlage snapped the Argos' run of 20 points with a bucket at the 3:26 mark, then a 3 by Hannah Burland kept things going. Two free throws by Sara Muhelhausen closed out the first quarter with LC trailing 29-11.
 
The second frame was all LC State as the Warriors outscored UP 20-5. After a basket by Providence, Farmer drained one of her own. Jamie Nielson hit a 3 at 6:40 to spark a run of 14 that lasted the rest of the half. Free throws by Peyton Souvenir sent LC State into the locker room down by just two at 34-32.
 
The Argos stretched their lead back out to six in the opening minutes of the third quarter, but a 3 by Burland started a 12-point run that saw LC State up 45-40 at 1:45. Farmer gave LC its first lead of the game at 41-40 with a triple during the rally, and by the end of the third, the Warriors led 49-47.
 
The lead traded hands throughout the final quarter, and with 16 seconds left the Argos led by a looming four points at 60-56. A pair of free throws by Burlage made it 60-58, giving UP possession of the basketball.
 
The Warriors fouled UP's Emiliee Maldonado who missed both foul shots, allowing Burlage to grab a rebound. Farmer tied the game with a contested shot and drew a foul. She drained the game winner at five seconds on the board. The defense fended off a final shot by UP to win the game 61-60.
 
"I think we started to relaxed and too low," junior Jansen Emdiston explained. "When Abby came in she brought up the tempo and was pushing the ball and she was getting open teammates the ball. That's what got us back in the game."
 
Burlage led LC State with 17 points and eight rebounds. Nielson and Farmer each totaled 10 points and Farmer dished out five assists.
 
As a team, the Warriors were an impressive 19-for-20 from the line (95 percent). The bench scored 20 points and the defense held the Providence bench scoreless.
 
UP's Parker Esary led the game with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Bailey Cartwright also notched a double-double with 18 points and 13 boards.
 
The home stand continues on Thursday when the Warriors host No. 22 Montana Western at 5:30 in the Activity Center.