Down one point, the ball in her hands and the final buzzer just seconds away, University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) guard Ahyiona Vason was set up for schoolyard glory Wednesday night against Longwood University’s women’s basketball team, a Longwood Athletics press release noted.

However, Longwood freshman guard Kyla McMakin had other plans, officials noted in the release.

Longwood’s standout newcomer swatted away Vason’s potential game-winning jumper as the buzzer sounded to preserve a 59-58 win for the Lancers (1-2) over the visiting Seahawks in the home opener in Willett Hall, the release cited.

McMakin’s block punctuated a dramatic fourth quarter in which UNCW (0-3) climbed out of a six-point hole, forced Longwood’s All-Big South forward Dayna Rouse to foul out with 2:32 remaining, and regained control of the ball down one point with 23 seconds remaining, the release stated. However it was McMakin that stole the spotlight in those closing seconds to cap another breakout game that saw her stuff the stat sheet with 14 points, four rebounds, three steals, two blocks and an assist.

“We love that it was a defensive play,” Lancers Head Coach Rebecca Tillett said in the release. “Kyla is a gifted offensive player, but to win championships, to build championship culture, you have to play defense. For our team to make an effort after the tough scrimmages and games that we have had, it’s exciting.”

Longwood is set to host Brown University on Saturday at noon.