Jessica Arnold grabbed Rheya Neabors and shook her.

Whitney Fields placed her hands on Neabors' face and praised her.

Beatrice Bofia simply gave Neabors a high-five.

Everyone on the UA women's basketball team seemed to want to congratulate Neabors after her huge play Friday night in the Wildcats' 68-66 overtime victory over North Carolina State. Players and coaches greeted the freshman forward on her way to the bench.

With less than 20 seconds left in regulation and Arizona trailing by two points, Neabors looked to pass the ball but saw an open lane. She drove to the left of the basket and scored the tying basket with seven seconds left to send the game to overtime.

"I think they were anticipating Rheya passing on the perimeter and she didn't," UA coach Joan Bonvicini said. "She read it and went to the hole and finished. That was the big thing -- she finished."

During the preseason, Bonvicini said Neabors could make an immediate impact. She certainly has.

Neabors has broken into the starting lineup after being the team's first player off the bench. She has started the UA's last two games and been a playmaker on offense and defense.

The UA (3-2) plays at Texas-El Paso today.

"I'm working hard and doing what I can to help the team," Neabors said.

Her final statistics on Friday -- six points, seven rebounds, two steals and two assists -- were not gaudy, but she came up with big plays at crucial moments.

Besides the tying basket at the end of regulation, Neabors made a steal when the UA held a 67-66 lead with 20 seconds left in overtime. Teammate Ashley Whisonant was fouled and hit one of two free throws for the final score.

Neabors shot 3 of 5 from the field and finished with three offensive rebounds in 34 minutes. Her twin sister, Rhaya, came off the bench and had an assist in 18 minutes. Rheya is averaging seven points and 4.6 rebounds, and Rhaya is averaging 2.6 points and three rebounds.

"A lot of the things that Rheya does and her sister does don't always show up in the stats," Bonvicini said. "They play beyond their years. They're smart and heady and physical."

At 6 feet 1 inch, Rheya is a half-inch taller than her sister, allowing her to play more in the post. Unlike her sister, she is left-handed.

"Rheya is like a utility," Bonvicini said. "She's like a post, a guard. She can play a little bit of everything."