Boca Raton, Fla. — Amy McNear has proven already this season that she has a flair for the dramatic. The Western Kentucky University sophomore point guard hit a three from just inside midcourt as time expired Sunday afternoon to give the Lady Topper basketball team a 79-77 win over Florida Atlantic at FAU Arena.

It was the second time McNear has won a game for WKU with a last second shot as she nailed a 15-foot jumper at Louisiana Tech with just over a second remaining to give the Lady Toppers a one-point win.

The win was the second straight for WKU as it improved to 9-6 overall and 3-2 in the Sun Belt East Division. Florida Atlantic fell to 4-11 and 1-4 in the league.

"Today our young ladies got a little bit of a lesson in what the phrase ‘don’t ever give up’ really means in terms of playing a game," said Lady Topper head coach Mary Taylor Cowles. "I think Amy really relishes those opportunities late in games. She continues to show just how gutsy she is, and she’s really pulled through for us again today."

Trailing by a point with 21 seconds left, McNear drove for a potential leading layup, but was called for travel as the ball went back over the Owls. After Jessica Knurick knocked down a pair of free throws to stretch the lead to three. WKU missed a look at a three, but Arnika Brown hit a layup to again make it a one-point game. The Lady Toppers again fouled Knurick — an 80-percent free-throw shooter coming into the game. However, Knurick missed both foul shots, giving WKU a chance. After Brown cleared the rebound, McNear drove to just inside the time line and let go a 35-footer that hit nothing but net as time expired to give the Lady Toppers the victory.

While the final shot drew most of the attention, McNear’s line for the game was quite impressive. Her 21 points established a new career high, and she also finished with a game-high nine assists, three rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot in 35 minutes of action.

WKU led by as many as 11 early in the second half, but the Owls fought back to take their first lead of the contest when a Brittany Bowe layup made it a 55-54 game with 10:40 to play. After trading baskets, FAU was able to open up a 65-60 lead on a Carla Stubbs three-point play with 7:05 on the clock. The Lady Toppers would cut the deficit down to one on a McNear jumper with five minutes left, but they did not see the lead again until the final shot of the contest.

After a sluggish offensive night Wednesday at Florida International, the Lady Toppers came out of the gates strong against the Owls, hitting six of their first seven shots to open up a 12-2 lead on a Hope Brown three just 2:19 into the contest. WKU — which was 2-for-20 from three in its previous outing — knocked down three of their first four from behind the arc, with a Kenzie Rich trey at the 14:07 mark giving the Lady Toppers their largest lead of the period at 19-8.

WKU went on to shoot 51.6 percent from the field in the opening period, but Florida Atlantic hung around by shooting 41.9 percent, and getting a handful of quick baskets in transition. The Lady Toppers never trailed, but saw their early advantage cut down to five when a three and a layup by Andrea Taylor made it a 23-18 score with 8:53 left before intermission.

The Lady Toppers responded with an 8-2 run to again open up an 11-point advantage, but FAU refused to go away as it again trimmed away at the lead and made it a 37-33 score after a Jessica Knurick three-point play with 47 seconds left on the clock. However, WKU was able to get a layup from Jessica Magley in the closing seconds to take a 39-33 lead into the locker room.

Enjoying the final of six days in her home state, Magley — a Bradenton, Fla., product — dropped in a career-best 15 points. Arnika Brown also posted her second double-double in as many games as she posted 18 points and a game-best 17 boards.

Bowe finished with 21 points to pace Florida Atlantic, while Stubbs and Breana Turner each tossed in 16 points.

The Lady Toppers return home to begin a three-game homestand on Wednesday (Jan. 14) when they play host to Middle Tennessee at 7 p.m. (CST) at E.A. Diddle Arena.