Webster's definition
Sophomore's key 3-pointer seals large road victory at Pueblo West.
PUEBLO – It seemed as if it was taking forever for Abby Webster to get her turn.
But it arrived on Tuesday night in the most important time of Mullen’s season to date and she made the most of it.
The sophomore drilled a 3-pointer from the left wing with 21.4 seconds to play that proved to be the winning points as the Mustangs rallied to take down host Pueblo West, the No. 3, 49-45 in the Sweet 16 of Colorado’s Class 4A playoffs. Mullen, seeded 14th, advances to Friday’s Great 8 and will head to No. 6 Montrose, the No. 6 seed.Tied at 44, Webster never hesitated. She took a pass from the middle from point guard Megan Pohs and drained it.
Indeed, this season has been challenging for Webster, like so many other Mustangs vying for playing time, but she certainly made her point(s).
And she was self-less about it.
“It was great, but everything just led up to it,” a thrilled-but-under-control Webster said. “We had enough energy on the bench and energy on the floor, and we were not about to lose this game.
“We didn’t want to ride back on the bus and be sad that we lost this game. We played for our teammates and our coach. We wanted to win.”
Mustangs head coach Frank Cawley praised Webster, notably for her outlook and composure.
“I know it has been tough for her,” he said. “We asked her to play some (junior varsity earlier in the season) and, honestly, for her to step up when she had her chance … she stuck it in (Pueblo West’s) eye. It was the confidence the whole team has.”
Freshman Imani Perez added two free throws in a one-and-one situation with 8.8 seconds to play to seal it.
“One-hundred percent, we were not going to lose this game,”` Perez said.
It capped a couple of clutch comebacks for Mullen. The two went back and forth throughout the first half with Mullen grabbing control into halftime. It also had a seven-point lead, only to watch the Cyclones, who finished 21-4, go on a 13-0 run for a 37-30 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Plus, Mullen trailed 40-34 with 3:17 to go.
However, sophomore guard Elaina Martinez, who carried the Mustangs into a 22-18 halftime lead with a nine-point second quarter, nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the key to begin their final surge.
“I just felt like I had to do something more,” Martinez said. “I hadn’t been attacking the basket, so I wanted to contribute a little more tonight.”
Sophomore Alexis Dominguez canned a short jumper – her only basket of the game -- to make it 41-39 with 1:51 to play and Iliana Perez banked in a 3-pointer from the left side with 1:51 to go to give Mullen its first lead since the third quarter. Good thing – both players fouled out moments later.
Imani Perez added an inside basket for a brief two-point lead before the Cyclones’ Hannah Simental, who led all scorers with 18 points, tied it at 44 with two free throws with 0:36.3 remaining.
It preceded Webster’s basket. The Cyclones, who could answer with only one more free throw, also threw it away after her score.
All told, Imani Perez was tops with 13 points and Martinez contributed 12. Dominguez and Iliana Perez each had six. And while Mullen was only 3-of-4 at the free-throw line – all by Imani Perez – its defense was the bigger story, particularly late. The Mustangs weren’t especially hurt by Simental and their defense and rebounding controlled Pueblo West’s dribble-drive attack.
The Mustangs grabbed 30 rebounds, 10 by Imani Perez, who also sat for a bit in the third quarter after smacking an elbow on the floor.
The competitiveness for playing time for the Mustangs remains real and role acceptance has been imperative.
“Yeah, exactly,” Webster said, “everybody has done a really good job this season of doing that and it has been rough at times, but this is what we have been looking forward to, getting to the Coliseum (for the 4A final four).”
As well, she said, with the team quietly miffed at being the No. 14 seed, “we’ve used it for motivation, just using it to prove everyone wrong … we’ve been aware of it.”
Said Cawley: “We talked about answering runs. I knew (the Cyclones) would and we would. They came out and made a good run because they’re a good team, but we answered. We showed a level of maturity we hadn’t showed yet.
“In this place, to come in here against a No. 3 seed and win … winning is what it’s all about. I’m so proud of them I can’t even see straight. Pretty good for a 14 seed.”
MULLEN 49, PUEBLO WEST 45
Mullen 7 15 8 19 -- 49
Pueblo West 9 9 13 14 -- 45
Mullen – Pohs 1 0-0 2, Martinez 5 0-0 12, Gallegos 1 0-0 3, Van Horn 2 0-0 4, Im. Perez 5 3-4 13, Il. Perez 2 0-0 6, Dominguez 3 0-0 6, Webster 1 0-0 3. Totals 20 3-4 49.
Pueblo West – Simental 6 5-8 18, Padilla 3 3-4 10, Louther 3 0-1 6, Dabovich 0 0-1 0, Sanchez 1 2-3 5, Ross 0 1-2 1, Leyva 1 0-0 3, Gallery 1 0-0 2. Totals 15 11-19 45.
3-pt. goals – Martinez 2, Il.Perez 2, Gallegos, Webster; Leyva, Padilla, Sanchez, Simental. Fouled out – Dominguez, Il. Perez.
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