The third time was the charm for the ASU women's water polo team.
In their third meeting of the season, the Sun Devils upset No. 6 San Jose State, 11-10, in an overtime thriller Sunday at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.
With the win, the No. 11 Sun Devils (4-7, 1-2 MPSF) notched their first conference victory and got revenge against a Spartans team that beat them twice in the past month, including last weekend at the Anteater Invitational.
"Both times we were right there," ASU coach Todd Clapper said. "To get so close in two games and then beat them was great."
San Jose State took an early 1-0 lead just 30 seconds into the game, but ASU came back to take a 4-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Sophomore all-around Addison Doud sparked the offense, scoring two goals in the opening quarter.
"If teams go out and press, that's going to open me up for shots," Doud said.
The end of the second quarter was filled with controversy concerning the shot and game clock.
With the Sun Devils leading 6-5 and 12 seconds remaining in the half, SJSU called a timeout.
The game clock ran down to seven seconds before being reset back to 12 seconds.
However, the shot clock remained at seven seconds. So when play began the buzzer went off with five seconds remaining in the half.
ASU players heard the buzzer and stopped play, which allowed the Spartans to score an uncontested goal with only a few seconds left on the clock.
After the officials deliberated, they decided not to count the goal and replay the 12 seconds, much to the dismay of the Spartans' bench and staff.
The Sun Devils were able to hold off SJSU the second time and took a 6-5 lead into half time.
"I believe the ruling was correct," Clapper said. "It's unfortunate for San Jose State, but our team heard the buzzer."
San Jose State tied the game at six early in the third quarter when sophomore Juliet Moss scored the second goal of her five-goal game.
ASU senior attacker Ashley Bower then scored two consecutive goals for the Sun Devils before Moss added another for the Spartans, making the score 8-7 heading into the final period.
The Spartans tied the score at eight when Moss scored her fourth goal of the contest.
But Doud and ASU junior center Katy Lawlor scored for the Sun Devils to push their lead to 10-8.
The lead didn't last for long as the Spartans came roaring back once again.
SJSU sophomore Tonya Torres and Moss both scored to tie the game at 10 and send it into overtime.
Sun Devils freshman center Amanda Stepp scored with 10 seconds left in the first overtime to put the Sun Devils on top, 11-10.
Her goal turned out to be the game-winner as both teams failed to score in the second extra period.
"I attacked the cage," Stepp said. "I hadn't scored all game, and I wanted it. It felt good."
The Sun Devils said they hope the momentum from Sunday's game can carry over when they host No. 2 UCLA on March 10.
"We've been getting progressively better," Doud said. "We'll have a hard week of practice. We'll be ready for UCLA."
Reach the reporter at: gina.mizell@asu.edu.
