Mules vs. Littlefield & Idalou (1-17 & 20-2017)

Mules vs. Littlefield & Idalou (1-17 & 20-2017)

The Mules split the week with a loss to one set of Wildcats and a convincing defeat of a second group. The Mules fell to the Littlefield Wildcats Tuesday night 63-47 but bounced back on the road to beat the Idalou Wildcats 63-49.

The Mules held their own in the first period. Jesse Leal made a free throw to start the Mules and had added a pair of hoops before the first period ended. Tre Villa made a short jumper, and Beto Diaz took a pass from Dagen Dunham for a fast break layup. 

Dunham scored three times in the paint. The Mules and Littlefield were tied at 15-15 after one quarter. 

Dunham made a pair of free throws to open the second quarter. He had added a basket before the quarter ended. Mario Flores and Villa each drained 3-pointers. Diaz and Romeo Reyes finished fast breaks with hoops and Leal chipped in a free throw. The Mules trailed 34-30 at the intermission. 

Dunham led the Mules after the half with three baskets. Diaz dropped in a bucket, and Leal chipped in a free throw. Javy Perez scored in the final quarter. Donovan Gutierrez and Leal each scored two hoops each in the last quarter.

Dunham paced the Mules with 16 points, nine rebounds, two assists and made three steals. Leal finished with 11 points, one rebound, and made one assist. Diaz finished with six points, two rebounds, and made three steals. 

Villa made all five of his points in the first half and finished with one rebound, three assists, and two steals. Gutierrez scored all four of his points in the final period. He also grabbed four rebounds and made two assists. 

Flores had three rebounds and sank one 3-pointer. Reyes grabbed three rebounds, made one steal and scored two points. Perez had one rebound, two assists and scored two points.

The Mules rained four treys on the Idalou Wildcats in the opening period Friday night. Villa opened the storm with a 3-pointer from the corner. Gutierrez sank back-to-back treys from the left wing. Dunham capped the flurry with a trey from the corner. Dunham, Perez, Flores and Diaz each scored a hoop. The Mules led Idalou 20-11 after one quarter. 

Both teams scored 10 points in the second quarter. Diaz put back an offensive rebound. Flores battled his way through a foul for a layup. He completed the three-point play by making the free throw. Perez made a short jumper, and Kevin Gonzalez chipped in a free throw. The Mules led 30-21 at the intermission. 

The Mules poured in 27 points after the break. The full court pressure paid dividends for the Mules. Diaz got the Mules started with a free throw. Leal made a steal, and a drove to the hoop for a layup. Villa made a short jumper. Gutierrez made a pair of hoops and chipped in a free throw. Flores made a pair from the charity line, and Perez scored a hoop. 

Dunham put back a pair of offensive rebounds and sank three treys. The Mules led 57-36 with one quarter left to play. 

The Mules backed off the intensity in the final quarter. Dunham opened the quarter with a 3-pointer. Flores and Leal chipped in a free throw each. 

Dunham finished the game with a game-high 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists and three steals. Gutierrez finished with 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Flores had seven points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. 

Perez dropped in six points and grabbed one rebound. Diaz made five points and pulled down one rebound. Villa also had five points and three rebounds. 

Leal scored three points, grabbed two rebounds, made four assists and two steals. Gonzales had three points, two rebounds, one assist and made one steal.

The Mules traveled to Dimmitt Tuesday night to continue their pursuit of a state playoff spot and will return home Friday night to host the Slaton Tigers.