Mules vs. Friona (2-11-14)

Mules vs. Friona (2-11-14)

The Mules traveled to Friona with the third spot from District 2-2A squarely in their pockets. Defeating or losing to Friona was of little consequence to the Mules while the Chieftains were playing only for pride and defending their home floor. 

The Mules played with no intensity while Friona appeared to be fired up for their final game of the season. The Mules went down to defeat 63-58 to Friona. 

Dagen Dunham dominated the paint on both ends of the floor and scored the first basket of the game just 30 seconds after it started with a put back. He would add two more hoops before the period ended. 

Eli Leal scored twice in the period and Jason Florez and Nacho Elizalde added a basket each. The Mules trailed 17-14 after the first period. 

The Mules’ defense tightened up in the second quarter and held Friona to just eight points. But the Mules did not do much better. Matt Barron made his first basket of the game as he led off for the Mules in the second period. 

Danny Campos converted a free throw for a three-point play and added a second free throw before the half. Leal and Dunham scored a hoop each and the Mules tied the game at 25-25 by the intermission. 

The Chiefs were hot in the second half and took a 44-37 lead over the Mules in the third period with a 19 point quarter. 

Austin Ross scored on the Mule’s version of the Alley Oop. Barron lobbed the ball over the defense to Ross breaking through the Friona backdoor. Barron added a three-point play of his own and two free throws. Dunham dropped in two hoops and one free throw. 

The Mules made a run at Friona in the final period but could make up enough ground before the final buzzer sounded. Barron started the period with the Mules first trey at the 6:30 mark. He added a hoop on a steal and dropped in his second 3-pointer.

Leal made three charity tosses and added a 3-pointer. Dunham put back an offensive rebound for two points and added a second hoop. Florez made a free throw and added a hoop. 

The Mules had run up a total of 21 points but Friona made 19 points to hang on for the win. 

The Mules prepared to battle the Canadian Wildcats in the Canyon Randall Raider Gym Tuesday evening.