By Brian Tynes

Sports Writer

The Lady Techster basketball team (3-2) dropped a heartbreaker in overtime to the University of Illinois Fighting Illini 71-65 on Saturday afternoon in the Thomas Assembly Center, snapping a 161-game home winning streak over unranked opponents that dates back to the 1991-92 season.

Junior Tasha Crain sank a jumper in the lane with 7.5 seconds remaining in regulation to put the Techsters on top 58-55, but Illinois' Angelina Williams hit a three-pointer for the Illini with 2.7 seconds left to tie the game at 58 each. After a timeout, Tech was unable to get a shot off in the final .8 seconds.

In overtime, Tech continued its offensive struggles by shooting three of 12 from the field and was outscored 13-7 to take its second loss in five days.

Crain, who aggravated an ankle injury in the second half suffered against Western Kentucky, continued playing with a brace and led the Techsters with 16 points and added three assists and seven rebounds.

As a team, the Techsters shot 24 percent from the field for the game and only 19 percent in the first half, making eight of 42 shots. The Illini shot 39 percent from the field, including 83 percent (5-6) in overtime.

Tech's head coach Kurt Budke said Tech was on the disappointing end of an emotional game.

"What goes around comes around," Budke said. "We stole one like this at Penn State last year. The last thing we needed was overtime after playing four games in seven days. I am proud of the effort we gave; we just didn't shoot the ball like we needed to."

Junior Aarica Ray-Boyd, sophomore Tamika Kursh and senior Lakiste Barkus were the only other Lady Techsters who scored double digits, adding 13, 11 and 10 points, respectively. Barkus and Shan Moore led the team with 10 rebounds.

Williams led all scorers with 24 points.

The bright spot for Tech was a 91 percent completion rate (19-21) from the free-throw line.

Two days prior to the overtime upset, the Lady Techsters edged out Western Kentucky University 73-60 after a strong second-half comeback by the Lady Hilltoppers.

Crain suffered an ankle injury early in the game but returned before the half wearing a brace. Although she returned to the game, Crain was ineffective on offense scoring a total of five points (2-5 from the field and 1-2 free throws).

Moore also suffered an injury in the first half but returned to lead the team in scoring with a career-high 20 points. Moore also added five rebounds and led the team with six assists.

"It was unbelievable," Budke said. "I looked out there, and Tasha was down ... then Shan was down. Fortunately, they are both tough kids. I can't tell you that I'm upset about the way we played because with everything that has gone on (with injuries), I'll take any kind of win we can get."

Barkus, who played every minute of the game, posted 17 points and three assists.

Moore came out swinging in the first half scoring 10 of the Techsters' first 22 points and giving Tech an early 22-9 lead, but WKU rallied to within four with 3:30 left in the opening period.

However, the Techsters went on a 13-0 run and led 39-25 at halftime.

The Lady Hilltoppers continued their rally in the second half when freshman Crystal Kelly posted 18 of her game-high 29 points and helped cut Tech's lead to 61-59.

Sophomore Ty Moore then hit four free throws on her way to a career-high 10 points and Barkus hit two shots to seal the Techster win.

Against Mississippi in the Techsters' first loss of the season, Tech shot only 36 percent (21-60) from the field and was outscored in both halves on its way to a 72-55 defeat.

The Techsters out-rebounded the Lady Bulldogs 41-38 but committed 17 turnovers.

Moore led the Techsters with 17 points and eight rebounds but was followed closely by Crain who had 16 points and seven rebounds.

"Crain was incredible and fought for every second she was out there," Budke said. "If we can get all of our players to play with the kind of intensity she does for every second she is out there, we will be a very good basketball team."

Prior to the loss at Starkville, the Techsters began regular-season play with wins on the road versus the University of Mississippi and at home against Arkansas State University.

Despite winning both games, the Techsters demonstrated scoring inconsistency shooting 52 percent at Ole Miss and 38 percent against ASU.

Crain and Shan Moore were the leading scorers against Arkansas State with 14 each. Barkus led the Techsters against Ole Miss with 23.