8th Mules vs. Friona (2-9-2015)

8^th Mules vs. Friona (2-9-2015)

The eighth grade Mules took what could be called the ‘sugar game’, from the Friona Braves Monday night. The teams had met twice and the Mules won the first outing 39-24 but lost the second game 34-18.

The Mules broke the tie by a very ‘sweet’ score of 27-26.

Ethan Villa drove and dished to Israel Vasquez to tie the game. Rigo Mendoza finished a fast break to tie the first period at 4-4 when it ended.

Vasquez made a free throw to start the second quarter. Raul Sierra drove to the hoop and was fouled. He made one free throw. Villa found a crease in the defense and drove from the left wing for a hoop.

The Mules broke the Friona press and Josh Torres finished the fast break. Torres made a pair from the charity line to keep the Mules close. Villa drove the baseline like it was the road home to beat the buzzer at the half. The Mules trailed 15-14 at the intermission.

Vasquez put the Mules on top with a driving lay up to start the third quarter. Luke Del Toro took the final pass and finished the fast break. Sierra posted up and got a feed from near the baseline. He turned into the lane for an easy two to end the third period with the Mules leading 20-17.

Brady Martinez made a free throw 40 seconds into the final period. Del Toro went high in the air to grab a Friona pass and drove the floor for two points.

Rodriguez cleaned up the backside and battle his way through a foul to get the ball through the hoop. He completed the three-point play by adding the free throw to put the Mules on top 26-23 with 30 seconds left in the game.

Friona sank a trey for the tie.

Villa grabbed a defensive rebound and was immediately fouled. He walked the length of the floor and made one free throw to put the Mules up with 10 seconds left in the game. Friona brought the ball down and the Braves’ coach called a timeout just as a player was shooting.

The whistle was blowing as the ball swished the net but the points did not count because of the time out. Friona could not get up a shot in the final four seconds.

Vasquez, Del Toro and Villa paced the Mules with five points each. Torres finished with four points and Sierra made three points. Mendoza and Rodriguez had two points each. Martinez chipped in one point.

The Mules finished the season on the road in Shallowater Monday.