AUSTIN, Texas -- To say Missy Masley has been struggling recently would be an understatement. Last night, with 12.5 second remaining in the NCAA Midwest semifinal game against Seton Hall, the junior center stood at the free throw line and stared down her demons.

With Penn State up 62-60, Masley had a chance to put it out of reach. She sunk both in the one-and-one opportunity, and then grabbed two loose Pirate balls to send Seton Hall packing.

"As a player, that makes me feel really great that we can pull it out," Masley said. "We just have to stick to our guns and remain calm."

In a matter of seconds a series of stellar moves wiped away a season of questions.

"That's the moment you live for -- it's all down to you," Masley said. "It was kind of exciting. The biggest thing was trying to relax."

Not easy after co-captain Helen Holloway stepped in with a few encouraging words.

Her advice?

"I just told her take her time and put it in or I'd kill her," Holloway quipped. "No. I just told her to take her time."

After sinking the shots Masley embraced Holloway. "This one's for you," were the words that went with the hug.

The moment was just as special for Masley's mother, Denise, who arrived from a 32-hour bus ride earlier in the day.

As Masley stepped to the line, her mother's thoughts were nothing but positive. Well, almost nothing.

"I said take off the mask," she said, referring to the face-shield her daughter has worn since fracturing her nose earlier this season. "She was going to do it. This was her time."

Masley's mother was clad in a T-shirt that read, "Real basketball fans ride the bus." In the moment before Masley's chance, Coach Rene Portland told her pupil that after her mother spent the last few days on a bus, she didn't want to hop back on.

Encouraging or not, the advice worked. But Masley refused to take credit for anything.

"It had to be . . . I guess luck," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "We'll take it anytime."

After the game, mother and daughter met in the stands and shared a hug.

"Rene said there was a reason she brought Missy to Penn State," the elder Masley said. "I think that was it."

It was. Portalnd smiled on Masley's accomplishment like a mother herself.

"There's just not been the consistency (with masley)," Portland said. "Those last two shots could have been the best thing that happened to her."