Last Updated on February 16, 2022 – 5:10 PM CST
TULIA, TX – Vanessa Martinez-Robles putback with 1.9 seconds on the clock lifted the Dumas Demonettes past the Lubbock Estacado Lady Matadors, 42-41, Monday night in a Class 4A Bi-District playoff encounter at Tulia High School.
A senior who finished with nine points, three rebounds, and a trio of steals, Martinez-Robles’ clutch rebound and putback rescued the Demonettes after a ferocious fourth-quarter rally by the Lady Matadors.
The game-winning shot started with a Brenley Rodriguez inbound pass to Sheda Madit that was nearly stolen. The turnaround jumper from the senior bounced off the rim and was chased down by Rylee Schacher. The freshman threw up a desperation shot that was caught by Martinez-Robles and putback off the glass for the dramatic victory.
Junior point guard Kamryn Cox hit a pair of three-point bombs, and Madit added two buckets, to help Dumas hold a 12-8 advantage after eight minutes of play.
The Demonettes threatened to blow the game wide open with a 6-2 run to open the second quarter to push their lead to 18-10. However, Lubbock Estacado outscored Dumas 5-2 the rest of the quarter and trailed 20-15 at the half.
Madit and Martinez-Robles combined for 13 points in the third quarter to help the Demonettes take a commanding 35-26 lead heading into the final eight minutes of action. But the Lady Matadors came charging back.
Lubbock Estacado (13-21) opened the fourth quarter with an 8-0 run to make the score 35-34. Cox drilled a three-pointer to increase the lead to 38-34, but the Lady Matadors reeled off seven consecutive points to grab a 41-38 lead and set the stage for Martinez-Robles late-game heroics.
Cox knocked down a pair of clutch free throws to make it a one-point affair, and Martinez-Robles’ putback with the clock winding down propelled the Demonettes to the second round of the playoffs.
Madit came up big for Dumas with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Cox tallied 13 points, two boards, and a pair of steals in another stellar outing.
Schacher pulled down a whopping 13 rebounds, and senior Abree Elsheimer added nine boards to help the Demonettes outrebound the Lady Matadors, 43 to 35.
Dumas (21-12) will battle the 17th-ranked Seminole Maidens (25-6) – which knocked off El Paso Riverside, 84-36 – in a UIL Area Round matchup on Thursday, February 17th at 7:00 p.m. in Plainview.