Mules vs. Dimmitt (12-20-2016)

Mules vs. Dimmitt (12-20-2016)

 

The Mules had made two jaw-dropping comebacks in the Farwell Tournament earlier in the season. The Mules fell behind by 13 entering the final quarter and came up one point short Tuesday night against the Dimmitt Bobcats in the first district game of the season.

 

Dimmitt defeated the Mules 67-66.

 

The Mules jumped out to a quick start in the game and led 12-4 after the first eight minutes of the contest. But the wheels seemed to come off for the Mules in the second period.

 

The Bobcats did not miss when they launched a three-point shot and took advantage of a hole in the Mule press to pour in 30 points. The Mules became frustrated when nothing seemed to fall and only scored 10 points.

 

In the third period, the Mules attempted a comeback, but the Bobcats managed to hold them off. Jason Florez and Dagen Dunham took over the game for the Mules in the final period and together scored 22 of the Mules 25 points.

 

Dunham ripped the net from behind the arc for the Mules first hoop. He had added two more baskets before the first quarter ended. Beto Diaz scored inside the paint and later chipped in a free throw. Florez added two charity tosses in the opening period. The Mules led 12-4 after the first eight minutes.

 

Tre Villa was fouled attempting a layup and made both free throws ten seconds into the second period. Dunham later fed Villa the ball for a layup. Diaz sank a 3-pointer and chipped in a free throw. Dunham scored with a short jumper and sank his second trey of the game.

 

The Mules had fallen behind 34-22 by the intermission as Dimmitt had pumped in 30 points during the second period.

 

Florez opened the scoring for the Mules with a drive to the hoop a minute and a half into the third period. He would add a second basket during the quarter plus sink three-of-four free throws.

 

Jesse Leal made two hoops in the third quarter, and Diaz made one basket plus a free throw. Dunham allowed frustration to prevent him from scoring more than one basket. Javy Perez completed an old fashion three-point play by battling through a foul for a basket and added the free throw.

 

The Mules had scored 19 points in the third period, but Dimmitt added 20 points to lead the Mules 54-41 with eight minutes left to play.

 

Florez opened the final frame by picking a Bobcat’s pocket and driving the floor for a hoop. He added two more baskets before sinking a 3-pointer with 44 seconds left on the clock.

 

Diaz put back and offensive rebound and later chipped in a free throw. Dunham put back a rebound for his first hoop of the final period. He then jerked down a defensive rebound and drove the floor for a basket. He added two more baskets and dropped in a 3-pointer.

 

Any two of the Mules’ 12 missed free throws would have won the game.

 

Dunham led the Mules in scoring with a team-high 22 points. Florez finished with 18 points with 16 of those points coming in the second half. Diaz added 13 Mule points. Leal and Villa dropped in four points each. Perez chipped in three points.

 

The Mules took off the mandatory five days but return to workouts and play in the Texico Wolverine Tournament December 28, 29, and 30. The Mules return to district action January 3, 2017, when they travel to Slaton to play the Tigers. The Mules return home January 6 to host the Friona Chieftains.