9th Mules vs. Farwell (1-18-2016)

9^th Mules vs. Farwell (1-18-2016)

It is difficult to get players the playing time required to develop when there are 15 to 16 players on the team. To solve this problem Coaches Clay White and John Jay split the freshmen Mules into two teams. Extra games were scheduled to give all the team members playing time.

Tulia did not have a freshmen team and Farwell had players that also needed extra minutes on the court. So Farwell traveled Muleshoe Monday evening.

The two teams played to a dead heat in the opening period but the Mules took a two point lead at the half. The Mules extended their lead to 35-31 after three quarters but the Mules could not hang on and Farwell won the night 48-43.

Matthew DeLeon drove the lane for a lay up to start the Mules scoring. He added three more hoops before the quarter ended for eight points. M. DeLeon drove the lane again but kicked the ball down the baseline to Israel Vasquez for a 12-foot baseline jumper.

Jacob DeLeon gave the Mules a 9-4 lead with a 3-pointer from the corner.

Farwell sank a trey just prior to the buzzer to tie the game at 13-13 after one quarter.

The Mules sank six of seven free throws in the second period to put two distance between them and Farwell. J. DeLeon made four from the charity line. Rigo Mendoza converted on free throw and Vasquez added a free throw for an old-fashion three-point play near the mid point of the second period. The Mules led 23-21 at the half.

M. DeLeon got the Mules started in the second half with a drive down the baseline. He then fed Vasquez in the paint for a hoop on the Mules next trip down the floor. M. DeLeon scored his second hoop of the third period with a drive down the lane.

Farwell tied the game with three consecutive hoops at 29-29.

J. DeLeon drove and then dished across the lane to Vasquez for a basket. The next trip down the floor Vasquez made a scoop shot. M. DeLeon picked up a loose ball, made one dribble and scored with just seconds left in the third period. The Mules led 35-31 after three quarters.

This set of Mules had not been on the floor with the game on line and may have panicked as Farwell began to come back. J. DeLeon led a fast break and battled through a foul for a hoop. He then added the free throw to extend the Mules’ lead to 38-31.

Farwell went on a 13-point run to take a 44-38 lead before Mendoza scored in a crowd and tacked on the free throw. Corbin Hardwick tipped a Farwell pass to himself and drove the floor for the Mules final hoop to cut the Farwell lead to a single point.

M. DeLeon led the Mules with 16 points. J. DeLeon finished with 12 points and Vasquez dropped in nine points. Mendoza made four points and Hardwick chipped in two points.

The Mules traveled to Tulia Monday to play the Hornets and will return home February to complete the 2016 season against the Shallowater Mustangs.