By Tony Andracki
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Amherst College entered Friday's Final Four game undefeated and expected to end the day the same way.
Not if Washington University's Jaimie McFarlin had anything to say about it.
With the Bears trailing 50-38 with just over nine minutes remaining in the game, WU junior forward Kathryn Berger hit a pair of free throws before McFarlin stole the ball on the ensuing inbounds pass and drove to the lane for a basket and an and-one. The five-point swing was enough to spark the Bears, who overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to burst past the Lord Jeffs 86-75 in overtime.
"At that point, it was now or never," McFarlin said of her traditional three-point play. "If you're going to make a run, now's the time."
The Bears made a run, alright, outscoring Amherst 43-25 from that point on.
The Lord Jeffs came out of the gates flying, scoring the first 10 points of the game en route to a 28-18 halftime lead. Amherst's first-half defense suffocated Washington, racking up six blocks and allowing just a 20.7 percent shooting percentage (6-of-29). The Lord Jeffs also outrebounded the Bears 29-15 behind junior center Sarah Leyman's nine boards and 10 points in the first half.
"They came out and it was a physical game," Washington head coach Nancy Fahey said. "They played hard…Leyman just demanded the inside."
The Bears turned their offense on in the second half, but could not stop Amherst on the other end as both teams traded baskets most of the period. The Bears were not used to trailing, having won by an average of 17 points per game in their 27-2 regular season, but never got down on themselves.
"You can really feel when a team gives up and I never felt this team give up," Washington senior forward Zoe Unruh said.
Washington had a chance to hit the final shot as they took the ball up the court with less than 30 seconds remaining and the score tied 64-64, but could not get their attempts to fall and the teams went into overtime.
Unruh began the overtime with a three-pointer before McFarlin hit a jumper as the Bears scored the first 12 points of the extra period.
"In overtime], they made big shots early and put pressure on us," Amherst head coach C.P. Gromacki said. "We were a little worn down, I think…I felt good all the way. It felt like we just let this one slip away a little bit."
McFarlin finished with 19 points to lead all scorers and pulled down 14 boards as the Bears battled their way back to a 46-46 tie in the rebounding department at game's end. Unruh and Berger also finished with 19 points while Leyman led the Lord Jeffs with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore Caroline Stedman chipped in with 15 points of her own for Amherst.
Washington has a date in the championship Saturday, March 20 against the winner of Hope-Rochester.