ANDERSON, Mo. — Webb City connected on 5-of-7 free throws in the final minute to secure a hard-fought 38-35 victory over McDonald County on Tuesday in the consolation semifinals of the Lady Mustang Classic.
With the win, the Cardinals (4-3) advance to play Farmington in the tourney’s fifth-place game at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
McDonald County (3-5) will play Gentry (Arkansas) for seventh at 3:30 p.m.
After trailing early, Webb City scored the final seven points of the first quarter, as Malorie Stanley and Kylee Sargent both hit 3-pointers and Izzy Lopez made one free throw to give the Cardinals a 10-4 lead entering the second period.
A trey from Lopez gave the visitors a 15-6 advantage early in the second quarter, but Mac County freshman Carlie Martin scored three buckets to keep the Mustangs within striking distance.
Webb City received a hoop inside by Kim Martin and a trey from Kirra Long late in the first half before Mac County’s Megan Elwood made two free throws, cutting Webb City’s lead to 20-15 at the break.
Webb City, once again played without starting post player Sami Mancini, also had to play much of the first half without senior Kate Brownfield, who picked up three fouls by the early stages of the second quarter.
After intermission, the Mustangs scored the first nine points of the third quarter and took a 25-24 advantage into the fourth period.
The game was deadlocked at 27 when the Cardinals took the lead for good after Brownfield and Dawsyn Decker each scored buckets inside.
Stanley’s mid-range jumper gave Webb City a four-point lead, but Mac County’s Martin answered with a hoop of her own with 1:20 to play.
Next, Brownfield made 3-of-4 shots at the charity stripe, McDonald County’s Jamie Washam hit two free throws of her own before Martin’s basket cut Webb City’s lead down to one with 16 seconds left.
The Cardinals and Mustangs both misfired on the front end of 1-and-1 free throws with 11 seconds and six seconds remaining, respectively. That kept the Cardinals in front by just a single tally.
Webb City’s Long was fouled with 3.2 seconds left, and the sophomore guard calmly sank both shots for the final margin.
On the hosts’ final possession, a last-second heave near midcourt was off the mark.
A senior guard, Lopez scored 10 points to lead the Cardinals. Brownfield and Stanley scored six points apiece, while Long had five.
Martin scored 16 points to lead McDonald County, while Elwood added eight.
In the first consolation semifinal, Farmington edged Gentry 60-59.
Lady Mustang Classic
Tuesday’s scores
Farmington 60, Gentry 59
Webb City 38, McDonald County 35
Carl Junction 68, Springdale 44
Bentonville West 56, Fort Smith Southside 53
Wednesday’s schedule
Seventh place: McDonald County vs. Gentry, 3 p.m.
Fifth place: Farmington vs. Webb City, 5
Third place: Springdale vs. Southside, 6:30
Title game: Carl Junction vs. Bentonville West, 8
