WENATCHEE — With the score tied and time running out Friday in her team’s contest against Blue Mountain, Wenatchee Valley College women’s basketball coach Rachel Bromiley-Goetz called a play to get the ball into the hands of either of the Knights’ two leading scorers.

Things didn’t quite go as planned, however. The play was quickly broken up, and neither Kassy Larson or Dani (Hallberg) Bray got a chance to hit the game-winning shot.

Luckily for the WVC, Lindsay Loe was in a position to turn a busted play into a great one.

Loe hit a layup with three seconds left, and that basket proved to be the game-winner as the Knights posted a thrilling 67-65 win over the Timberwolves at Smith Gymnasium.

“The play was breaking down, and for a freshman to have the confidence and mental focus to hit the go-ahead shot... what she did was perfect,” Bromiley-Goetz said. “I couldn’t have drew it up any better.”

The Knights (13-12, 4-8 Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges East Region) had 10-point lead at halftime and led by as many as 14 in the second half, but Blue Mountain made a run after WVC’s starting guards, Kate Patenaude and Felicia Alvarado, had to leave the contest after picking up their fourth fouls.

The Knights never relinquished their lead, however.

“They made their run, and (our) other kids held on (to the lead), and we pulled it out,” Bromiley-Goetz said. “We played enough defense to get the opportunity to win. We played strong, disciplined and focused on what we needed to do. We didn’t freak out.”

Bray led WVC with 20 points, and Larson added 17 points and 14 rebounds.

The Knights (13-12, 4-8) will play their final home game of the season Saturday against Treasure Valley.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Blue Mountain 72, WVC 61

WVC’s offense was sluggish at times in the second half, and the Knights dropped what coach Coby Weidenbach called “a winnable game.”

“We came in thinking we could win this if we executed what we were supposed to do,” he said. “If we’re going to win games, we have to play and entire game and get a good effort from all five guys on the floor. At times the effort was there tonight, but I’d like to see more (Saturday).”

Up by five at halftime, the Timberwolves quickly pushed their advantage to double-digits early in the second half. WVC (9-16, 3-9) cut the advantage to five with six minutes remaining, but couldn’t get any closer.

“We had to change our defense, and our 1-3-1 zone slowed them down,” Weidenbach said. “We pushed the tempo, and guys were getting to the basket. But that stagnated after awhile.”

Jordan Perry led the Knights with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Brock Holubetz tallied 15 points and nine rebounds.

WVC will play its final home game of the season Saturday against Treasure Valley.