MONROEVILLE - It may have taken the Mars Planets over 30 minutes to take the lead, but once they got it, they weren't about to give it up.

When senior forward Taryn Adamski converted a conventional 3-point play with just one minute, 37 seconds remaining in the game, the Planets were ahead for the first time at 40-38.

Mars junior guard Julie Utz made four free throws in the final 31 seconds and Maggie Bulman came up with a crucial steal late to ensure the Planets' 44-40 victory in a WPIAL first-round girls playoff game Saturday at Gateway High School.

"We've got a great bunch of girls here and it's been a great season so far," said Utz, whose 19 point-performance is a big reason why that season will continue into the second round against Hopewell at a site and time to be determined.

West Mifflin's lead ballooned to as many as 12 points (24-12) in the first half and it opened the final quarter with a 34-29 advantage.

"We were able to stay within striking distance," said Planets' coach Dana Petruska. "In the fourth quarter, the girls said 'Let's go get 'em."

The Titans were held to just six points in the final eight minutes.

West Mifflin had possession trailing 42-40 when Bulman's theft with seven seconds left preceded Utz's final two free throws that clinched the win.

Senior guard Brittney Wilson epitomized West Mifflin's roller coaster day, as she tallied 10 points in the first half and none in the second half.

"Mars played hard for 32 minutes," said Titans' coach Phil Shar. "We played hard for about 25 minutes and that was the difference."

Utz was the lone Planet to score more than two points in the first half (10), and she tallied nine in the decisive fourth quarter.

"(Julie) wants to be in that position," said Petruska. "She believes in herself and she believes in our system."

"It came down to what team wanted it more," said Utz. "And we played with a lot of heart today."

Adamski scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Mars (17-8).

Lauren Krivijanski led the Titans (16-8) with 14 points.

West Mifflin was unable to capitalize on the Planets' flat performance early in the contest.

In the first 3:30 of action, Mars turned the ball over five times and missed its only attempt from the field.

However, the Titans had just a modest 3-0 lead to show for it.

"They're a quick team," said Petruska. "And it caused some problems for us early on."

The Planets scored the final six points of the first half to pull within 24-18.

With the defeat, West Mifflin failed to avenge last year's 47-46 WPIAL quarterfinal playoff loss to Mars.

The Titans entered the game having won four straight and eight of their last nine.

"We certainly didn't think we'd lose today," said Shar. "We had been playing pretty well coming in."

WEST MIFFLIN 40

Ayla Sparks 1 2-2 4, Megan Thomas 2 0-0 6, Lauren Krivijanski 7 0-0 14, Brittney Wilson 4 2-3 10, Terrica Jones 3 0-1 6, Raven Metz 0 0-0 0, Ashley Bergman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 17 4-6 40.

MARS 44

Taryn Adamski 4 4-4 12, Heather Carpenter 1 0-0 2, Julie Utz 6 4-6 19, Maggie Bulman 0 4-4 4, Megan Gibson 0 1-2 1, Cara Hudac 1 0-1 2, Abby Marshall 2 0-0 4, Alina Hudac 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 13-17 44.

3-point goals:

Thomas 2; Utz 3.

Next game:

Mars vs. Hopewell, site and time TBD