8th Mules vs. Olton (1-20-14)

8th Mules vs. Olton (1-20-14)

It was a tale of two halves Monday evening when the eighth grade Mules hosted the Olton Mustangs. Olton won the first half 12-5 but the Mules over came the seven point deficit to defeat the Mustangs 23-22.

Olton dominated the Mules in the first period and jumped out to a 6-0 lead by the end of the period. The Mustangs out scored the Mules 6-5 in the second quarter to lead the Mules 12-5 at the intermission. 

The Mules battled back in the third period to trim the Mustang lead to 18-16. The Mules scored a free throw with 46 seconds left in the game. Olton’s final shot was a desperation half-court toss that was wide of the mark. 

Jacob Kettner sank a 3-pointer from the win for the Mules first points of the game 40 seconds into the second quarter. Olton made a basket and Brendon Rodriguez cleared the offensive boards and put the ball up and in for a hoop. Olton made a free throw and a trey before the period ended to lead 12-5 at the half.

Mikey Lozano stole a Mustang in bound pass and drove the floor for a lay up to ignite the Mule offense in the third frame. Juan Sanchez put back an offensive rebound to cut the Olton lead to 12-9 with 5:07 left in the third quarter. 

Olton answered with a basket before Rodriguez was fouled shooting. He made one free throw. A minute later Rodriguez drove the baseline for a short jumper and 30 seconds after that he scored on an in bound play and tied the game at 14-14. 

Olton scored back-to-back baskets to jump back in front of the Mules with a minute and half left in the third quarter. Lozano grabbed a long defensive rebound and drove the floor for a lay up. The Mules trailed 16-18 at the end of the third period. 

Lozano hit a running jump shot from the elbow to tie the game at 18-18 with 4:34 left in the game. Olton scored to take the lead. Lozano made the out-let pass to Kettner to start the fast break. Kettner kissed the ball off the glass to tie the game at 20-20.

Kettner picked off an Olton pass and drove the floor for a lay up to put the Mules up by two points. Olton tied the game with 1:23 showing on the clock. JoJo Rejino was fouled on a put back attempt and made the winning free throw with 46 seconds left in the game. 

The Mules grabbed a defensive rebound and called time out with seven seconds on the clock. The Mules tried to drain the final seconds off the clock and the Mules turned the ball over with two seconds left. 

Olton drove to near mid court and fired up a last second attempt that went wide of the basket. 

Kettner and Rodriguez led the Mules in scoring with seven points apiece. Lozano added six points and Sanchez made two. Rejino only made one point but it was the point that put the Mules in front to stay. 

The Mules traveled to Dimmitt Monday evening to play the Bobcats. The Mules return home to host a tournament January 30 and February 1. The Mules play their final home game February 3 against the Littlefield Wildcats.