West Virginia had its WNIT quarterfinal against Villanova all but won. But on the Wildcats' side, there was one more loose end to tie up. Senior Emily Leer was playing in her last college game, and was stuck on 999 career points.
With just seconds left in the game and the Mountaineers up six, West Virginia coach Mike Carey called for his team to foul Leer, sending her to the line for two free throw attempts.
She made one, hitting the 1,000-point mark. West Virginia released video of the final sequence.
SPORTSMANSHIP: Coach Mike Carey asked his player to intentionally foul Villanova senior Emily Leer so that she had an opportunity to reach her 1,000th point before her career concluded. Leer was fouled and hit the front-end of a free throw to score her 1,000th and final career point.
Posted by WVU Women's Basketball on Monday, March 30, 2015
In the video, it appears that Carey and Villanova coach Harry Perretta come together near mid-court for a quick discussion. Presumably, the exchange is Perretta asking Carey to call for a foul on Leer.
Whether it was solicited or not, Carey's willingness to foul the opponent -- in a six-point game, no less -- is commendable. West Virginia went on to win, and both sides walk away as part of a feel-good example of sportsmanship.
