Lady Norse Stun No. 9 Allen County with Buzzer-Beater Victory

The NEO A&M Lady Norse delivered a thrilling upset this afternoon, knocking off No. 9 Allen County Community College in dramatic fashion, winning on a buzzer-beater with just 1.7 seconds left on the clock.

In what proved to be a back-and-forth battle from start to finish, both teams traded momentum swings, lead changes, and defensive stands throughout the contest. Neither side was able to create much separation, setting the stage for a heart-stopping finish.

NEO was led offensively by Eliana Florence-Valentin, who paced the Lady Norse with 13 points, providing steady scoring and clutch shot-making when the game tightened. Her leadership kept NEO composed during Allen County's late pushes.

But the moment of the afternoon belonged to Taneya Howard.

With the game tied and only 1.7 seconds remaining, the Lady Norse drew up an inbounds play from the sideline. After a perfectly timed screen and quick pass, Howard caught the ball in rhythm and rose for the jumper. As the horn sounded, the shot splashed through—sending the NEO bench spilling onto the court and the Lady Norse faithful into celebration.

The win marks one of NEO's most nail biting performances of the season, showcasing resilience, composure, and a flair for the dramatic against a nationally ranked Division II opponent.

The Lady Norse will look to carry this momentum forward into conference play.