OTTAWA – One team, with its back against the wall, played like it. The other, with a chance to clinch at least a piece of the Northern Illinois Big 12 West title, didn't play like it all.

The Ottawa Pirates got off to fast start and closed with a strong finish Thursday at Kingman Gym, downing the Sterling Golden Warriors 46-35. Both teams are now tied for the NIB-12 West lead with two games left.

"I told Julie [Schroeder, Sterling's coach] after the game that you could tell her team had one in hand," Ottawa coach Mike Cooper said. "We knew if we lost tonight, we were done in the conference [race], and our girls came out with an effort that reflected that."