JV L.Mules vs. Friona & Tulia (1-19&22-2016)

JV L.Mules vs. Friona & Tulia (1-19&22-2016)

The JV Lady Mules won two district games this past week. They defeated the Friona Squaws 35-27 Tuesday night at home and then traveled to Tulia Friday to defeat the Lady Hornets 41-35.

The Lady Mules wrapped up the first round of district with a district record of 3-2 and a season record of 11-7.

Valarie Ambriz got the Lady Mules rolling against the Squaws with a trey from the wing. Ricarda Elizalde hit a jump shot and Karla Bustillos added a free throw. Ambriz chipped in a free throw. Brianna Barron made a steal and drove the floor for a hoop just before the first quarter ended.

The Lady Mules trailed 10-9 after one quarter.

The Lady Mules fell behind even more in the second period. Lillie Barrera made a pair of charity tosses and scored on a feed from Brianna Barron. Baron made a steal and drove the floor for a lay up. The Lady Mules trailed 20-15 at the half.

The Lady Mules tightened up their defense in the second half and held the Squaws to only seven second half points. Barrera scored early in the third period and Bustillos hit a long jumper. Marilyn Melendez cleaned up the backside for a put back hoop. The Lady Mules had cut the Squaws’ lead to 23-21.

The Lady Mules caught fire in the final quarter and scored 14 points. Melendez made a pair of free throws to start the final quarter and to tie the game. Cassidy Cage hit a baseline jumper and Barron scored on a feed from Melody Moran to tie the game at 27-27.

Friona would not score again. Barrera hit from near the baseline and Melendez put back an offensive rebound. Barron made the final hoop by just beating the buzzer.

“I was concerned that we were going to have another overtime game,” said Lady Mule coach Edie Niblett. “We did not play our best game tonight until the final quarter when the girls really turned up the heat. It was great to have Cassidy Cage back making plays on both ends of the floor. Brianna Barron, Lillie Barrera and Marilyn Melendez really helped us out in the final period.”

Barron led the Lady Mules in scoring with 10 points. Barrera finished with eight points and Melendez scored six points. Ambriz added four points, Bustillos made three points and Elizalde and Cage chipped in two points each.

“The score in the game went back and fourth the whole game,” said Val Ambriz. “It was exciting and the final score was a relief. We made good decisions and played as a team.”

In Tulia the Lady Mules jumped on the Hornets early and did not back off until the final quarter.

Noa Rojas opened the scoring with a basket early in the first period. Barrera took a long rebound and drove the floor for a hoop. Barron then scored on a feed from Cage. Briana Velasquez got in the fray with pass from Barron.

Barrera scored again and Rojas knocked down a pair of baskets as the Lady Mules raced out to a 14-10 first quarter lead.

The Lady Mules added to their lead by out scoring Tulia 8-6 in the second period to lead the Hornets 22-16 at the intermission.

Melendez got the Lady Mules started after the half and Rojas made a free throw. Ambriz finished a fast break on a pass from Barron. Barrera made a pair of jumpers and Cage scored in the paint for a 33-23 Lady Mule lead with one period left to play.

Cage, Barron and Ambriz hit one free throw each in the final period. Barrera scored while being fouled and sank the charity toss. Melendez closed out the scoring by cleaning up the backside with a put back.

Barrera ended the night leading the Lady Mules with 15 points. Rojas finished with seven points and Melendez made six points. Velasquez added four points. Ambriz, Barron and Cage scored three points each.

The Lady Mules traveled to Shallowater Tuesday night to start the second loop of district and return Friday to host the Dimmitt Bobbies.