BOULDER — Mullen was reeling, so Autumn Burt did something about it.
Actually, she did a lot — her 11 consecutive points in the third quarter finally sparked what had been a dull Mullen output and sent the Mustangs to their sixth championship game this decade.
Though only a 5-foot-5 sophomore, Burt got inside, rebounded and finished multiple plays for the Mustangs (23-4), who finally got past Montrose 56-40 on Wednesday in Class 4A’s girls final four at the Coors Events Center.
“Someone had to step up,” said Burt, who had 17 points and nine rebounds.
Her surge helped Mullen climb to a 40-29 lead in the third quarter — and it’s a good thing she did. The Mustangs were 8-of-32 shooting in the first half.
“There was probably cellophane on top of that basket,” Mullen coach Frank Cawley said. “That was probably the worst first quarter we’ve played all year. But the girls responded at halftime. Autumn was just amazing. I don’t know how she got all those rebounds and points.”
With Burt getting behind the Montrose defense, Mullen outscored the Indians (24-3) 18-2 in the third quarter. Near game’s end, the lead crested at 18 points.
Laura Palmere ended with 18 points, but she, too, didn’t get it going until late. Cawley credited his team’s demanding schedule — it began against 5A Regis — for keeping it in the chase all season long, but it was rough early.
Montrose led throughout the first half as Hanna Bowden and Kaylee Walker set the pace. However, the Indians got into foul trouble across their front line, went to a zone and didn’t guard the goal.
Montrose 10 17 2 11 — 40
Mullen 7 15 18 16 — 56
Montrose — Cooling 0 0-0 0, Earle 0 2-2 2, Hansen 2 0-0 4, Abel 2 2-2 8, Bowden 3 5-9 11, Meisberger 1 0-0 2, Horn 1 2-6 4, Walker 3 3-5 9, Gurule 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 14-24 40.
Mullen — Crump 2 0-0 4, Hess 3 0-0 6, Richardson 0 2-4 2, Palmere 5 7-10 18, Thompson 2 0-0 4, Claybaugh 0 0-0 0, Burt 7 3-9 17, Curneen 1 0-0 3, Holland 0 0-0 0, Gurule 0 0-0 0, Becker 0 0-0 0, Scott-Benson 0 2-2 2. Totals 20 14-25 56.
3-point goals — Abel 2; Curneen, Palmere. Total fouls — Montrose 20, Mullen 20. Fouled out — Bowden, Walker. Technicals — None.
