Box score | Season stats

OMAHA, Neb. -- In the most exciting finish of the season so far, SBU junior Courtney Heady knocked down a buzzer-beating shot to earn the one-point win over the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks, 70-69. With the victory, the Bearcats stay alive in their quest for an MIAA Tournament berth, pulling within a game of eighth-place UNO, with two games left in the regular season.

SBU jumped on top early and led the entire first half. The Bearcats' largest lead was ten points at 29-19 following a trey from Heady with four minutes left in the half. The Mavs used a 9-2 run to close the half, and the Bearcats led 31-28 at the break.

The 'Cats would build up a seven point lead shortly into the second half, when Rachel Graves' jumper made it a 37-30 SBU lead. With just over five minutes left in the game, The Mavericks would cut the lead down to one, when UNO's Alyssa Green would knock down a three. SBU answered with three unanswered when Kourtni Williams hit one of two free throws, then Freddie Sims hits a jumper off the Maverick turnover.

Omaha took a narrow one point lead with just under two minutes to play, when Green would draw the foul on Graves and hit the first of two free throws. The game turned into a free throw contest from that point, with Williams hitting four big ones with a little over a minute to go. the Mavericks' Green would answer when she stepped up to the charity stripe as well, hitting two clutch shots down the stretch.

With a one point Bearcat lead, UNO's Autralius Sanders got her only two points of the game with nine seconds left with a layup to give Omaha the lead. After a quick timeout, Heady took the ball with seven seconds remaining, and with time expiring, nailed the jumper to give the Bearcats the win.

"You can't be happy enough for this team, with how hard they've worked, and the attitude they've had," said head coach J.C. Carter after the thrilling win. Carter was especially impressed with the play of his starting point guard with the game-winner. "For a point guard, you need someone as level-headed as Courtney is. She hits a shot at the buzzer, everyone's going crazy, and she's asking what the postgame meal is tonight."

Heady led the team with 19 points, going 4-for-9 from three. Graves ended with 18 points and five assists. Kourtni Williams set a new career high for the second straight game, finishing with 16 points. "She just battled tonight," added Carter. "Their post was four or five inches taller, and a senior. Kourtni hit some big free throws in the stretch also. She's definitely not playing like a freshman."

SBU returns home for their final home game of the season, Tuesday night against Northwest Missouri State. Senior Night festivities will be held prior to the 5:30 p.m. contest.