Late free throws cap Vandals’ rally

Idaho led for a combined 61 seconds on Sunday at New Mexico State, but the final three ticks were the only ones that mattered in a come-from-behind 57-54 victory over the Aggies at Las Cruces, N.M.

“I thought we showed a lot of heart in coming back from down 12 and battled all the way back and won,” Idaho coach Jon Newlee said. “This team does have a big heart and they really compete and that’s something we’ve been preaching since day one.”

Junior Derisa Taleni made two free throws with 3.3 seconds remaining to cap off a 12-point comeback and put Idaho up 55-54. The Aggies turned over their in-bounds pass and another two Taleni free throws with less than one second remaining sealed it.

(3) California 77, Washington State 57: Ashley Walker scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to help the visiting Golden Bears (20-2, 11-0 Pac-10) defeat the Cougars (9-13, 2-9).

The Cougars were led by freshman April Cook’s 22 points. Heather Molzen had nine points and eight rebounds.

(7) Stanford 76, Washington 54: Jayne Appel scored seven of her 16 points during a decisive spurt to start the second half and Jeanette Pohlen led visiting Stanford with 19 points.

Sami Whitcomb’s 16 points led Washington (5-16, 1-10 Pac-10). Stanford improved to 19-4, 10-1 in the conference.