It came down to the final 4.1 seconds.
Nicole Chuang had just scored on a layup to give The Master's a 62-61 lead over the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers.
After a timeout, the Pioneers had 4.1 seconds to inbound the ball and win the game.
But Belle Hernandez tipped away the inbounds pass into the hands of
Marin Lenz and that was it.
The Lady Mustangs steal a close win away from the Pioneers Thursday night in Lancaster, Calif.
"Tough environment all the way around and UAV had the momentum for most of the game," said Head Coach Lisa Zamroz. "We found a way though. I loved to see the fight and resilience we showed through all the adversity of the game."
The game was tight throughout. UAV led 13-12 after the first quarter, 26-25 at the half. TMU shot 11-of-25 (44%) in the half, and held the Pioneers to 9-of-30 (30%).
The pattern was repeated in the second half with UAV holding a 43-42 lead at the end of three and back and forth until the dramatic end.
Chuang finished with a career-high 22 points, getting to the foul line often and converting 12-of-15 of her free throws.
"Nicole stepped up in her biggest moment yet to hit key free throws when the game was on the line," Zamroz said.
Lenz finished with 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds, and
Lexi Hernandez finished with 11 points.
The Master's will be back in The MacArthur Center Saturday when they face the Park-Gilbert (AZ) Buccaneers. The game time is subject to change, so click
HERE on Saturday for the exact time of the game.
