A 45-minute thriller.

The UST Growling Tigresses falter in an overtime thriller against the UP Lady Maroons, 80-88, to move on to a rubber match in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament on Nov. 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Tigresses had their chances to win the game late in regulation, but Kent Pastrana missed two three-pointers following an exchange of baskets from both teams in the final three minutes.

UP’s rookie Louna Ozar then took over in overtime, sinking her free throws and a spinning layup with a foul helping the Lady Maroons jump to a six-point lead, 81-75, and never look back.

Pastrana led the Tigresses with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and four steals, while Ozar carried the Lady Maroons with 25 points on an efficient 10-for-15 shooting from the field in what was an impressive duel for both stars.

Entering the game with a twice-to-beat advantage, UST led by as big as 20 points courtesy of a 22-4 run in the second quarter after three triples from Tacky Tacatac.

The Lady Maroons, however, stirred a 21-0 counter bridging from the second to third periods, snatching the lead from 45-25 to 45-46 and keeping the game close for the rest of the way.

After trading baskets for most of the fourth quarter, Favour Onoh knotted the score at 72 with a split in the free-throw line before UST failed to score through Pastrana’s attempts as regulation ended.

UST’s Tantoy Ferrer and UP’s Rhea Sanchez opened overtime with a three each before Ozar scored her six points, while Justine Domingo and Kaye Pesquera nailed two points apiece pulling the Lady Maroons away, 76-85, with 1:54 left in the game.

Pastrana and Brigette Santos tried to will the Tigresses back with their respective baskets, but Pesquera knocked down the dagger three at the 30-second mark to secure the victory for UP.

Onoh posted historic numbers of 14 points and 30 rebounds, becoming the first player across any division to reach such rebounding numbers since the league started tallying stats digitally in 2003.

Pesquera and Sanchez had 19 and 12 points, respectively,lifting the Lady Maroons to a knockout game.

Meanwhile, Tacatac was the lone double-digit scorer for UST aside from Pastrana, posting 12 points on four three-point makes.

The rubber match is scheduled for Saturday, 9 A.M, at the Araneta Coliseum.