Utah State wins thriller in opener

ANCHORAGE – Utah State point guard Devyn Christensen scored a game-high 24 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 7 seconds remaining, to lift her team to a 67-66 women's basketball victory in the opening round of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout at Sullivan Arena on Tuesday.

Christensen also dished eight assists, grabbed five rebounds and made five steals for the Aggies (1-3), who advance to Wednesday's 5 p.m. AST championship game against the winner of North Dakota State and host Alaska Anchorage.

The Lady Panthers (0-3) were led by 21 points from guard Kiara Etienne, while forward Latia Williams had 17 points, eight assists and five assists for the Southwestern Athletic Conference club.

Prairie View erased an early 51-39 second-half deficit and took the lead, 64-61, on three straight jumpers by Williams in the late going. The Aggies battled back to tie it with 36 seconds remaining when Christensen hit a step-back three-pointer, but the Lady Panthers went ahead on another baseline jumper from Williams.

After a USU timeout, Christensen nailed another trey for the winning basket, and Prairie View could not get off a shot in the final seconds.

Prairie View will play the loser of the NDSU-UAA in Wednesday's 2:30 p.m. consolation game.

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