De Hoyos hits game-winning FT, Mustangs defeat Wildcats 40-39

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>BELEN, NM -- The West Mesa Mustangs advanced to 2-0 after beating the Lovington Wildcats in the 'Hub City' Tournament with a free-throw after the final buzzer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a physical game with both teams having to work for their shots. Playing zone on both sides, the Wildcats and Mustangs relied on the 3ball. Only fitting for the game to come down to a 3-point attempt at the final buzzer. After a barrage of 3s late in the 4th quarter, the game was tied 39-39 with 7 seconds left. Possession belonged to West Mesa but the Mustangs needed to go the full length of the court to get a shot off. As time wound down, the ball landed in the hands of Marissa De Hoyos and a shot was put up as the buzzer sounded. Suddenly, a foul was called with the clock at 0:00 -- One could argue it was a questionable call, and it would be tough to disagree -- leaving De Hoyos to win the game at the foul-line. De Hoyos would have been granted three attempts but only needed one. Marissa finished with 12 points -- all in the 4th quarter -- going 3/3 behind the arc. The senior guard had no hesitation in catch and shoot situations, letting it fly from the corners. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='357723' first='Marsai' last='Martinez'] had 12 points (4/5 3PT) and was all over the court defensively. Martinez was at the top of the 1-2-2 extended zone, suffocating and harassing Wildcat guards. Her ability to stay in front and apply pressure, resulted in West Mesa forcing several turnovers leading to layups. [player_tooltip player_id='635352' first='Cece' last='Thrasher'] and [player_tooltip player_id='391121' first='Monique' last='Sena'] each had 6 points, [player_tooltip player_id='878779' first='Olivia' last='Fresquez'] had 4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lovington's [player_tooltip player_id='525623' first='Elizabeth' last='Buendia'] finished with a game high 20 points (9/10 FT). Buendia not only did damage from the charity stripe, but also knocked down some big time shots from deep (3/5 3PT). Elizabeth made a pair of transition pull up 3s late in the game -- inside 1:20 -- to even the score. One of which was heavily contested at the top of the key with three Mustang defenders closing out on her. [player_tooltip player_id='648194' first='Malaiya' last='Castro'] chipped in with 7 points, [player_tooltip player_id='648207' first='Ashelynn' last='Borunda'] who provided great energy, gave the Wildcats a spark in the 2nd quarter with back-to-back layups; Borunda had 6 on the night. Lastly [player_tooltip player_id='642728' first='Aubrey' last='Aranda'] finished with 5 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next Up</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Mesa (2-0) | 12/8 vs Manzano (2-2) @ 6 p.m. 'Hub City' Tournament in Belen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lovington (4-2) | 12/8 @ Belen (3-1) @ 4 p.m. 'Hub City' Tournament in Belen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->