Box Score (New/Sortable Format) BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (March 8, 2013) – After winning the past two PSAC championships, the Edinboro women's basketball team wasn't going to let its crown go without a fight.

Despite playing without center Samantha Blazetic due to injury and with their top two remaining scorers Kiara Brown and Darche' Jackson battling foul trouble, the Fighting Scots came down to the final buzzer with a 3-point attempt in the air that would force overtime.

That last second heave fell short, however, leaving Bloomsburg to celebrate a 76-73 PSAC semifinal victory in a re-match of last year's title game.

With the loss, Edinboro drops to 22-6 on the season and now awaits the announcement of the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament bracket. Seeds for the Atlantic Regional are scheduled to be announced on Sunday night. The Fighting Scots stood second in last week's regional rankings.

Bloomsburg moves to 23-5 on the year and will play Gannon, which defeated Millersville in the day's first semifinal, in Saturday's championship.

Playing for the first time without  Blazetic, who suffered a knee injury in Tuesday's quarterfinal win over Indiana (Pa.),  the Fighting Scots went on the early offensive with their smaller lineup. Brown buried a 3-pointer on the first possession of the game, Bobbi Baker canned a jumper and Laurel Lindsay finished a fast break for a 7-0 advantage out of the gate.

Bloomsburg answered with a counterpunch of its own. After trading baskets with Edinboro to trail 13-7, after four minutes, the Huskies put on a 14-2 surge while the Scots went cold from the floor. The Scots languished more than six minutes without a bucket during the stretch before Baker finally broke the dry spell with a jumper to momentarily cut the hosts' lead to three (20-17).

The Huskies took advantage of Edinboro foul trouble to grow the lead to seven with Brown and Aignee Freeland on the bench late in the half. A Kerry Connolly layup brought the Scots to within a point at 31-30 with 1:50 left in the period, but Kayla Oxenrider and Jocelyn Ford combined for three quick baskets to allow Bloomsburg to take a 37-32 lead into the break. Bloomsburg was red hot from the floor during the opening 20 minutes, shooting 50 percent (15-for-30) while the Boro shot at a 33.3 percent clip (13-39).

Fouls continued to plague the Scots in the second half, forcing Jackson to the bench for much of the second stanza. Bloom grew its lead to nine at 46-37 with 17:22 remaining following a basket from Catherine Noack, and the hosts were in control. Just when it seemed as though the Huskies were ready to seize their spot in the championship round, Edinboro responded.

Brown drilled a 3-pointer to start a sway in momentum and the Scots were within two (48-46) just three minutes later following free throws from Connolly. Edinboro grabbed its first lead of the second half on a perfectly executed in-bounds play from Connolly to Lindsay who finished underneath the basket and then completed a 3-point play following the foul for a 55-53 lead and 11:24 to play.

The majority of the game's nine lead changes would come during the next five minutes as the lead bounced back-and-forth while the teams traded baskets. Bloomsburg regained a four-point advantage, but Jackson returned to the game and immediately gave Edinboro a jolt of offensive energy. The junior guard drove the lane on back-to-back drives for buckets and a 65-64 Edinboro lead.

Each time Edinboro took the edge, Bloomsburg immediately had an answer. Danielle Derr scored five straight points to allow the Huskies a 69-65 lead with five minutes left, and Jackson was lost for the game after being whistled for her fifth foul with 4:06 remaining. Following a timeout, Edinboro struck for the game's next six points through the combination of Brown and Lindsay for a 70-69 lead and 2:32 showing on the clock.

It would be Edinboro's last advantage. Following a trey from Brown for the one-point Boro lead, Alyssa Flanagan quickly put Bloomsburg ahead again with two shots from the line. Another Boro foul sent Noack back to the charity stripe and another pair of shots for the 73-70 lead and 1:31 left. The teams traded missed baskets before Flanagan went to the stripe again, connecting on the second of two attempts to make the margin four points.

Lindsay executed a last gasp for the Fighting Scots with another 3-point play to bring the defending PSAC champs to within one, 74-73. Following a Boro timeout, Lindsay came away with a steal and Edinboro had a golden opportunity on the other end as Baker drew heavy contact underneath the basket. No foul was called, however, and Baker's attempt at a layup missed, leaving Flanagan to pull down the defensive rebound.

Dana Wieller was good on two shots at the line to give the Huskies a three-point lead and 11 seconds to play. Bloomsburg elected to allow Edinboro to attempt a shot in the waning seconds, but strong defense cut off any decent looks, leaving Lauren Hippo with a deep 3-attempt that fell short as time expired.

Brown led all scorers with 22 points to go along with six rebounds. The All-American guard registered 17 of her points during the second half. Lindsay turned in a standout performance with a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, both new career-highs. The redshirt sophomore also tied a career-best with six steals. Jackson and Baker each tallied 10 points apiece.

Noack recorded 16 points to lead four Huskies in double figures. Flanagan added 12 points while Oxenrider and Ellis each tallied 10 points.

Bloomsburg finished shooting 44.8 percent from the field (26-58) and Edinboro shot 33.3 percent in both the first and second half (25-75). Edinboro held the edge on the glass, 43-39, but was limited to a season-low eight assists.

The NCAA Division II Tournament Selection Show will be held at 10 p.m. on Sunday night and is available for viewing at NCAA.com.