Mules vs. Bovina (1-6-2015)

Mules vs. Bovina (1-6-2015)

The Bovina Mustangs visited the Mules Tuesday night and put up a good fight in the opening period. After the first eight minutes only one point separated the two teams. The Mules owned the second and fourth periods and defeated the Mustangs 71-48.

Dagen Dunham sank a 3-pointer from the left wing to open the game. Tony Vasquez hit a second trey and Tony Castillo made back-to-back steals on the Mule offensive end and scored both times.

Jason Florez finished a fast break and had to battle his way through a foul on his way to the hoop. Florez added the extra point. Dunham made two from the charity line to give the Mules a 15-14 advantage after one period.

Enrique Mares led the charge for Bovina in the first period. He made a basket, two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws for 10 of the Mustangs first 14 points. The Mules shut Mares down in the second period.

Wes Clarkson put back an offensive rebound to start the second period for the Mules. Dunham, Blayne Shipman and Danny Campos each put back an offensive rebound during the second quarter.

Castillo set both Shipman and Campos up with passes for point-blank baskets. Florez swished the net from behind the arc twice with one coming at the buzzer to end the first half. The Mules led 33-21 at the half.

Mares was active for Bovina with five points in the third quarter and a trey in the final period for 18 points.

Florez went coast-to-coast to crank the Mules in the second half. Josh Lopez pushed the ball ahead to Florez on a fast break and he chipped in a pair of free throws. Lopez added a pair from the charity line.

Vasquez scored with a short jump shot and Grey Johnson hit from just inside the arc. Campos scored in the paint. The Mustangs had trimmed the lead to 47-38 in the third quarter.

The Mules exploded for 24 points in the final period. Dunham opened the quarter with a hoop and added three more baskets plus a free throw for nine points in the final frame. Castillo added three more baskets and Campos made two hoops. Shipman stuck back an offensive rebound and Florez chipped in a free throw and a basket.

Four Mules were in double figures with Florez leading the parade with 18 points. Dunham was just off that pace with 16 points. Castillo and Campos finished with 10 points each. Shipman added six points and Vasquez dropped in five. Clarkson, Johnson and Lopez chipped in two points each.

The Mules played Idalou Friday night but no results were available at press time. The Mules will take Tuesday off while preparing to open district by hosting the Dimmitt Bobcats Friday. The Mules will visit the Littlefield Wildcats next Tuesday.