Heartbreak shot stops IU

The women's basketball team was defeated by a big three Saturday in the second round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament.\nIt's happened before -- two three's in the final minute against Mississippi handed the Hoosiers their first loss.\nIt was a Western Kentucky three in the final 10 seconds that gave the Hoosiers their last.\nFighting to stay alive in the 32-tournament alternative to the NCAA Tournament, IU fell prey to a last-second three by Natalie Powers, lifting the Lady Hilltoppers past IU 64-63. The loss end's IU's season with a record of 20-11, a win plateau reached four times in school history.\nFinishing her first season, coach Kathi Bennett said she was sad to see her team's tournament run come to an end.\n"This is a tough loss," Bennett said. "It is not a fun way to end the season."\nThe Hoosiers advanced to the second round by beating Middle Tennessee State 66-63 in the first round Wednesday in Bloomington.\nThe Hoosiers held a lead as large as 19 points, but had to hold on from a late charge by the Raiders.\n"It was good to get the win and double our win total (from a year ago)," said Bennett after the win. "It was a tournament win and a lot of teams aren't playing right now. We still are.\nIU was led in scoring by senior guard Rainey Alting, who poured in 15 points and four rebounds. Freshman Anna Waugh added 14 for IU.\nJamie Thomatis of Middle Tennessee led all scorers with 30 points, seven rebounds and four assists.\nSaturday's game was tied 60-60 with one minute remaining as neither team was able to break a tight game. After a WKU free throw gave the Lady Toppers a 61-60 lead with 34.5 seconds, the Hoosiers rebounded the missed second attempt and pushed the ball up court. Junior guard Heather Cassady, who shared team-high honors with 16 points, rolled off a screen to nail a three-pointer from the right wing, giving IU the 63-61 advantage with 20 seconds left. \nCassady came through after faltering with the long-distance shot in previous crucial situations. Misses earlier in the season against Illinois in the regular season and against Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament ended IU's chances of wins in those games, but Cassady was nothing-but-net when it mattered most.\nBut Cassady couldn't foresee Powers -- who scored a game-high 29 points on 10-of-18 shooting -- having one last clutch shot left.\nIU had one final opportunity, but Cassady's runner in the lane was off the mark and freshman Anna Waugh couldn't get her follow to fall as the horn sounded. \nThe Hoosiers, who held a six-point lead in the first half, suffered from poor shooting, making 35 percent of their field goals (25-of71).\nWKU shot 40 percent, going 24-of-60 from the floor.\nJunior center Jill Chapman notched her ninth double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds while sophomore Erika Christenson came off the bench to grab 10 rebounds in a losing cause.\nFor Western Kentucky, senior All-America forward ShaRae Mansfield contributed 19 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, posting her 14th double-double of the season.\nThe Hiltoppers advance into the WNIT's Elite Eight against Ohio State.\nThe Hoosiers season now ends with improvement but disappointment after Saturday's loss.\n"What an experience this year has been," Bennett said. "I feel truly blessed to have coached this team. Yes, we've had a good year but this loss still stings. But we need to look at the big picture, we've reached our goals that we set out to accomplish. We got 20 wins, we advanced to postseason and we competed in the Big Ten"