BIG WEST BASKETBALL WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT : 3-Pointer Eliminates Las Vegas

There won’t be the annual Big West tournament showdown between Cal State Long Beach and Nevada Las Vegas this year.

New Mexico State, a somewhat small team with a huge three-point threat in forward Tracey Goetsch, shocked No. 15-ranked UNLV in a first-round game Wednesday night at the Long Beach Arena, 90-89.

And it was none other than Goetsch who sank a shot from behind the line--23 feet out--at the buzzer to give the Roadrunners the victory.

Trailing, 89-87, with six seconds left, the Roadrunners’ Traci Reindle inbounded the ball to Tia Thomas. Thomas dribbled to the free-throw line, looked inside, then quickly turned and passed the ball out to Goetsch, who hit nothing but net.

The 5-foot-11 Goetsch was three for four from three-point distance in the first half, but had missed all four attempts in the second, before getting the ball with time running out.

“Coach always gives me the green light, and I knew I couldn’t stop and had to keep shooting,” said Goetsch, who finished with 24 points. “It was the biggest three-pointer of my life.”

It put the unranked Roadrunners (14-16) into tonight’s semifinal against Cal State Fullerton, which behind Genia Miller’s 29 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high 11 blocked shots, defeated Fresno State, 79-41.

It might also affect the NCAA playoff picture for Las Vegas, which had played Long Beach in the Big West tournament final the last five years.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re not seeded and have to go on the road for a first-round game,” UNLV Coach Jim Bolla said.

The Rebels (24-6), who made eight of nine free throws in the first half, were unable to capitalize from the line in the second half, making only 10 of 23.

The Roadrunners, who had 27 turnovers, made up for it by making 22 of 23 free throws.

New Mexico State outhustled the Rebels throughout and held them to 39% shooting. They outrebounded the Rebels, 57-46.

“We know we didn’t play well, and they did a real good job,” Bolla said.

Forward Teresa Jackson led the Rebels with 24 points.

UC Santa Barbara (17-11) got 17 points from Becky Brown and 16 from Erika Kienast in posting a 62-42 victory over Pacific (15-13).

As expected, No. 21 Cal State Long Beach defeated Hawaii, 99-59, in the late game to run its winning streak to 13 games.