Mules vs. Shallowater & Dimmitt (1-27&30-2015)

Mules vs. Shallowater & Dimmitt (1-27&30-2015)

When the starting gun sounded the Mules stumbled out of the gate against the visiting Shallowater Mustangs. The Mustangs led the Mules 15-6 after one quarter and galloped to a 59-45 win.

The Mules traveled to Dimmitt Friday night and got off to a much faster start. Tony Castillo scored seven first period points to jump start the Mules to a 14-11 lead after one period. The Mules built on their lead through the second period but the Bobcats stifled the Mules in the third period and claimed the lead late in the period. Dimmitt held on to defeat the Mules 46-42.

Castillo stole a Mustang pass and drove for a lay up two minutes into the game against Shallowater. Dagen Dunham and Danny Campos each added a hoop.

Dunham made a baby hook to start the second period. He made back-to-back 3-pointers before the period was half over. Castillo made the only other Mule basket of the half. The Mules trailed 24-16 at the intermission.

Jason Florez scored twice to start the third quarter and added a pair of free throws. Castillo hit a baseline jumper. Blayne Shipman took a pass from Castillo and went to the hoop strong for a basket. Campos scrambled for a basket in the lane. The Mustangs had increased their lead to 40-28.

Dunham made a post move to score in the paint to start the final period. Wes Clarkson made back-to-back 3-pointers with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Josh Lopez dribbled near the free throw line and hit nothing but net with his shot. Florez made two free throws and drove the floor for a hoop. JJ Gandara hit a baseline jumper and Dunham chipped in a final free throw.

Dunham led the Mules with 13 points and Florez added 10 points. Clarkson and Castillo dropped in six points each. Campos finished with four points. Lopez, Gandara and Shipman chipped in two points each.

Castillo scored 20 seconds into the game in Dimmitt. He sank a 3-pointer from the corner and added a second hoop before the period ended. Florez sank a 3-pointer and Campos cleaned up the backside for a basket. Dunham hit a pair from the charity line to put the Mules on top 14-11 after one quarter.

Dunham dropped in a 3-pointer from the corner early in the third quarter. He added a hoop later in the quarter. Clarkson made a basket and Tony Vasquez sank a trey. Shipman scored in the paint to give the Mules a 26-18 at the half.

The second half turned against the Mules. Dunham, Gandara and Florez made a free throw each and Florez did finish a fast break for the Mules only hoop in the period. The Bobcats had out scored the Mules 15-5 to claim a 33-31 lead with one quarter left to play.

Campos tied the game at 33-33 with a pair from the charity line. He added two more free throws later in the quarter. Dunham made two hoops and Florez made an old-fashion three-point play. The Mules finished four points short of the Bobcats.

Dunham led the Mules with 12 points. Florez added nine points and Castillo made all seven of his points in the first period. Campos finished with six points and Vasquez made three points. Clarkson and Shipman made two points each and Gandara chipped in one point.

The Mules hosted the Littlefield Wildcats Tuesday night and the Friona Chieftains will visit the Mules Friday night. The Mules will travel to Tulia February 10.