GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : No. 7 Estancia Misfires, Hands Costa Mesa a Victory

Costa Mesa’s Heather Robinson had plenty to do with her team’s 52-51 overtime victory over visiting Estancia in a Pacific Coast League game Thursday. She scored 26 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and scored the rebound basket with five seconds left that sent the game into overtime.

But not even Robinson can take credit for the gift seventh-ranked Estancia gave her team in the fourth quarter. Clinging to leads of two and four throughout the fourth quarter, Estancia missed all eight of its free throws to give life to Costa Mesa (7-6, 1-0 in league). For the game, Estancia (11-2, 0-1) made only seven of 24 from the line.

There wasn’t any single culprit for the Eagles. They all faltered at the line in the fourth quarter. Laura Czingula and Jessica Waltz missed all three of their attempts and Jenny Drake was 0 for 2.

“That will hurt you every time,” Estancia assistant coach Rich Boyce said.

Costa Mesa Coach Lisa McNamee was surprised to hear of Estancia troubles at the line.

“Every game there’s a little bit of luck involved,” she said. “I didn’t even now they missed that many until now.”

While Estancia was throwing up bricks from the line, Robinson was barely hitting the net with her shots. She made 10 of 11 free throws, including nine of nine in the fourth quarter and overtime.

“That’s what you dream of--to be at the line when it counts,” she said.

Robinson was also underneath the basket when it counted. She snuck in and rebounded teammate Koo Kim’s missed free throw with five seconds left and banked in the tying basket.

“I didn’t even feel like I was in control of my body,” she said. “I think I was possessed or something.”

In overtime, Robinson scored all six of the Mustangs’ points on free throws.