Glendale, AZ. – In a back-and-forth affair which saw eleven ties and sixteen lead changes, the Tigers of Doane University took the final lead holding on for a four-point victory and ending the Firestorms five game win streak by a score of 77-73.
 
Said Head Coach Rusty Rogers, "Carrying over from our previous game against Grace, our defense was very spotty and inconsistent.  Doane was relentless in getting to the basket and we did not do much to prevent that."
 
The loss spoiled a terrific performance from senior All-American Alyssa Alvarez who had a season best and game high of 32 points.  Senior Halle Payne scored 16 points.  It was otherwise a struggle to find the basket as the team shot just 38% from the field. 
 
Down three points heading into the fourth quarter, Alvarez would score 17 of her 32 points in the final period to keep the game close.  The entire fourth quarter was a tense back and forth affair with neither team able to seize momentum.  And It was with 1:10 remaining the Lady Firestorm took their final lead of the game with a three pointer from Alvarez making it 72-70.  But Doane responded with a three pointer to retake the lead, and after an Alvarez miss, Doane tagged on two free throws to extend their lead to three points with nineteen seconds remaining.  Alvarez was fouled at the other end with six seconds remaining, and after making her first free throw, she intentionally missed the second, but the Firestorm were unable to collect the rebound leading to two more free throws from the Tigers, and the game's final score.
 
Concluded Coach Rogers, "Alvarez took matters into her own hands the last couple of minutes, but we just didn't get the defensive stops on the other end."
 
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