BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (12/1/03) -- Binghamton put five players in double figures and overcame a four-point deficit in the final minute to defeat North Texas, 59-57, in the championship game of BU's Time Warner Classic Sunday afternoon at West Gym.
For North Texas (3-2), it was the second straight tournament for the Mean Green to finish as runner-up. NT took second place at the Indiana Tournament on Nov. 23.
Binghamtom senior guard Kate Townley (St. Paul, Minn.) was named tournament MVP after winning the game at the free throw line in the closing seconds. Townley contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the final.
With North Texas ahead, 57-56, with 11 seconds remaining, she drove to the basket and drew a foul. She made both free throws to give BU a 58-57 lead, and then after a Lady Eagles' miss at the other end, she corralled the rebound and was fouled again. With three seconds left, Townley made another foul shot for the final margin. A last-second North Texas three-point attempt was just off the mark.
North Texas was led by junior guard Jill Medlock, who scored 11 points and collected eight rebounds. Medlock and sophomore forward Jamie Armstrong were named to the all-tournament team. Other members of the team were Lonnie Brown (Canisius) and Amaka Agugua (Hofstra).
The Bearcats received a strong performance from senior center Nicole Dypolt (Calgary, Alberta), who hit all six field goal attempts and wound up with a game-high 14 points. Senior forward Leala Wegwerth (Maplewood, Minn.) was 5-for-7 for 11 points, and sophomore guards Rachel Laws (Wyncote, Pa.) and Jen Blues (Overland Park, Kan.) added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Blues delivered a crucial three-pointer with 50 seconds left to cut BU's deficit to one, 57-56. Wegwerth, who joined Townley on the all-tournament team, scored 10 of her 11 points in the first half, as the Bearcats jumped out to an 11-point lead before North Texas closed the half on a 21-8 run to take a 32-30 lead into intermission.
North Texas now faces a three-game road trip beginning Saturday when NT plays at Texas A&M at 2:00 p.m.
